Songbird Scores in BC Juvenile Fillies

Fox Hill Farms' Songbird delivered a beautiful performance Oct. 31 in the $2 million 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) at Keeneland, controlling the pace throughout and drawing off to win by 5 3/4 lengths over fellow grade I winner Rachel's Valentina.

Running like a 3-5 favorite should and nailing down the 2-year-old filly championship with three straight grade I wins, the Medaglia d'Oro   filly galloped clear to the lead in a few bounds leaving the outside post in a field of 10, and was never challenged.

"Once we jumped out the gate, it was just a matter of me staying on," said Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. "She's so talented and she gives you so much confidence. I almost felt like yawning as we went along. I don't mean that in a bragging way. She just gives me that much confidence. I'm really blessed to be a part of this great team."

NOVAK: Songbird Soars to Chandelier Victory

The win was a record 22nd for Smith, who added to his advantage as the Breeders' Cup's all-time winningest rider after Songbird clicked through early fractions of :23.60, :47.15, and 1:11.42, then only increased her advantage through a mile in 1:36.33. 

"From the 10 hole, we knew we had to get a good break, but Mike said this was the longest jump she's ever had to make to get into position on the first turn, that was the key," owner Rick Porter said. "I knew we had the best horse going in, but the problem is, I've had the best horse in races before... the best horse doesn't always win."

Songbird preserved her perfect record with yet another frontrunning score for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, and is now 4-for-4 after previously taking the Chandelier Stakes (gr. I) and Del Mar Debutante (gr. I). She finished the 1 1/16-mile test in a final time of 1:42.73 on a fast track, with Dothraki Queen and Nickname rounding out the top four.

BALAN: Songbird Dazzles in Del Mar Debutante

Hall of Famer John Velazquez said he didn't want to take Songbird on with Rachel's Valentina in the early going.

"The other horse got away to an easy lead and I didn't want to be the one who got up there and did the dirty work by going head to head," he remarked. "My filly ran a great race. We're happy with second."

The winner paid $3.20, $2.40, and $2.10 while Rachel's Valentina brought $3.80 and $3.40 with Dothraki Queen paying $5.80. After Nickname came Ma Can Do It, Tap to It, Land Over Sea, Forever Darling, Right There, and Bold Quality.

Bred in Kentucky by John Antonelli out of the West Acre mare Ivanavinalot, Songbird was a $400,000 purchase from the Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga 2014 select yearling sale.

"She just got out there and did her thing," Hollendorfer said. "She's a really nice filly and we're very blessed to have her. I thought she was doing things relatively easy, especially the second quarter when things slowed up a little bit from the first one. We're looking forward to next year. We don't have any plans yet, but we will."