Originally scheduled to breeze Sunday, undefeated champion and 'TDN Rising Star' Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) was out one day earlier to breeze seven furlongs in 1:25.80 under the watchful eye of trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The Fox Hill Farms colorbearer, who took her record to a perfect seven-for-seven in the GI Santa Anita Oaks Apr. 9, was forced to miss the GI Kentucky Oaks after spiking a fever. Following Saturday's work, Hollendorfer confirmed the dark bay for the GII Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita June 18.
“She went the last eighth in spectacular fashion, :12 seconds flat,” Hollendorfer said. “She's ready. I changed my mind [on the work day]. I decided at the last minute.”
Working in the company of stablemates The Gomper (Sky Mesa) and Little Curlin (Curlin), Songbird went in fractions of :25.40, :37.40, :49 and 1:13 with a one-mile gallop-out time of 1:39.
“Jerry called me first thing this morning after planning a very early work for Songbird,” owner Rick Porter said on his Facebook page. “Everyone was expecting her to work tomorrow so Jerry wanted to go this morning when he sent two of his nice horses out right in front of Songbird.
He added, “It was about five lengths when they all broke. She went behind them at her own pace and then, as planned, started running at the quarter pole and split them as nice as could please and went the last eighth in a gallop out in :12 flat. The clocker told Jerry he got her in 1:24 flat even though they published 1:25 4/5ths. It is nice to confirm she can rate. Great work and looking forward to the race next Saturday.”
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