Songbird Breezes Bullet at Santa Anita

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Photo: Clockers' Corner/Zoe Metz
Songbird - Santa Anita Park, June 4, 2016

Undefeated champion Songbird worked six furlongs in 1:13 flat under regular rider Mike Smith June 4 at Santa Anita Park, gearing up for a return to racing after missing the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) due to a fever.

The time equaled the fastest of nine drills at the distance, tied with Angels Flight Stakes winner Bellamentary, who also was clocked in 1:13 for leading trainer Phil D'Amato. Songbird's fractional times were :36 2/5, :48 2/5, and 1:00 4/5, with a gallop out to six furlongs in 1:28.

"It was a very nice work," said Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro for Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farms. "She went off slow, finished up fast and galloped out nice in 1:28."

Hollendorfer reiterated the June 18 Summertime Oaks (gr. II) "is possible" for Songbird's first start since her victory in the April 9 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I).