Songbird’s Delivered, But Yet to be Asked

Undefeated in two career starts by a combined total of 12 lengths, ‘TDN Rising Star’ Songbird (Medaglia d’Oro), is the 3-5 morning-line favorite to win Saturday’s GI Chandelier S. at 1 1/16 miles on the Opening Day program at Santa Anita Park.

The 2-year-old filly’s owner, Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farms, Inc., said he knew the daughter of graded stakes winner Ivanavinalot (West Acre) had the potential to be special even before he first saw her in the flesh prior to the FTSAUG sale (click here catalogue page) a little more than a year ago.

“[Bloodstock advisor] Tom McGreevy, who’s worked for me a long time, makes up a short list,” of yearling prospects, Porter explained. “When I came later to the sale, we went over to the Hill ‘n’ Dale consignment. He showed me this filly, and we both loved her. After we talked about her and looked at her some more, we said we’d like to have her if the price is right.”

The hammer fell at $400,000, and Porter said he was instantly pleased with his purchase.

“She just looked like a racehorse,” Porter said. “And she’s continued to improve and grow.”

Porter said that in the months between when Songbird entered training in Florida and when was ready to be shipped to the racetrack, she had emerged as his top 2-year-old filly prospect.

Porter decided to race Songbird on the West Coast under the care of trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. She debuted at 2-1 July 26 at Del Mar (video), wiring a maiden special weight field of nine by 6 1/2 lengths.

Next up was the Sept. 5 GI Del Mar Debutante (video). Favored at 11-10, the dark bay outsprinted the field from outermost post 11, but jockey Mike Smith sat chilly when pressured by an inside move on the turn from GII Sorrento S. winner Pretty N Cool (Scat Daddy). Songbird responded gamely when asked for another gear late in the lane, and although Smith stayed busy on her, she appeared to glide clear with untapped power in reserve.

“She has such a beautiful stride,” Porter said. “When she works, Jerry and Mike tell me she’s just like in a gallop. She does it so easily. She hasn’t been two turns yet, but we drew a decent post and we’ll just have to see how she handles two turns. She’s certainly bred to.”

Smith demonstrated his commitment to Songbird by staying in California to ride her on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, even if that meant opting off of Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song), who won the GI Woodward S. at Saratoga.

“Why he didn’t ride the winner in the Woodward, I can’t tell you,” Porter said with a chuckle. “Mike and I go back a long way, but that has nothing do to with the decision he made. He fell in love with Songbird a long time ago and he just has a lot of confidence in her.”

Porter said that although Saturday’s $300,000 two-turn test is the prime focus for Songbird, he’s willing to peek five weeks down the road with an eye on the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland.

“If she runs well, and assuming she’s healthy, the Breeders’ Cup is on the schedule,” Porter concluded.