Songbird Logs Pre-Trip Breeze at Santa Anita

Fox Hill Farms' undefeated Songbird logged her final serious work at Santa Anita Park Sept. 18 before her Sept. 19 flight to Pennslyvania, where she is scheduled to start in the Sept. 24 Cotillion Stakes (gr. I) at Parx Racing.

The 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro earned the atypical Southern California "breezing" tag after going a half mile in :47 3/5 with regular work rider Edgar Rodriguez. The time ranked fifth of 60 timed moves at the distance that day.

Both trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and assistant Dan Ward were on hand for the filly's breeze.

Ward said Songbird went "very easy."

"Just perfect. Songbird looks as good as ever," he said, adding that her orignial flight the night of Sept. 18 was delayed until very early the next morning. 

"Her flight will be leaving Ontario (Calif.) at 5:30 a.m., so we have to be at the airport at 3 a.m. and pick her up about 1:30 a.m. She'll arrive by the afternoon at Allentown, Pa. and then she'll be at Parx."

Rodriguez will accompany Songbird to Parx while Hollendorfer is to arrive at the track midweek, Ward said, adding Songbird will have two traveling companions, including Who's Out, who is pointed for the Gallant Bob (gr. III) on the Cotillion card.

Once settled in at Parx, Songbird is to have four days of galloping prior to the $1 million Cotillion, in which she will be ridden by regular jockey Mike Smith.

Songbird is perfect in 10 career starts, her most recent outings also coming in the East at Saratoga Race Course, where she won two of her six grade I races: the Alabama Stakes Aug. 20 Coaching Club American Oaks July 24 by a combined 12 1/4 lengths.