Songbird set to make three-year old debut in Las Virgenes
Undefeated Eclipse Champion filly Songbird has not been seen since dominating a field of ten in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland on Halloween. On Saturday afternoon, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro returns to the races for the first start of her three-year old campaign and headlines a field of seven in the 34th Running of the Grade II Las Virgenes at Santa Anita Park. The $300,000 event run at one mile over the main track is the fifth race on the nine-race card and is the final leg of the 5-cent Players’ Pick Five.
The highly anticipated start to 2016 for Songbird gets started against a compact field that is unlikely to challenge the classy filly on Saturday. The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee has her sights set on the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 6, despite many believing she would have a legitimate shot against the boys in the “Run for the Roses” the following day. Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farms and Hollendorfer however remain unwavering in their commitment to race her with her own gender. She returns to the afternoon off of a series of steady works, including a five-furlong bullet drill in 58.1 on January 8. Regular rider Mike Smith will be aboard the filly that could be as low as 1-9 in the wagering when the gates open at approximately 2:30 local time.
If Songbird falters, Land Over Sea for Reddam Racing could be the one to pull the upset. The daughter of Bellamy Road has been defeated three consecutive times by the champion filly, but did run a career best over this racetrack in the Grade I Chandelier last September and has every right to improve with age and time off. The well-bred Reddam Racing runner has finished in the money in 4 of 5 career starts and has four steady works leading up to Saturday’s return to the races. I expect her to run well.
Street Fancy, for hot training Phil D’Amato, should also move forward in her first start of 2016. The Street Sense filly is coming off a nice win in the Grade I Starlet at Los Alamitos on December 12, but will need to improve immensely if she is to challenge Songbird in the Las Virgenes. Victor Espinoza will take over riding duties with Mike Smith obviously opting to ride Songbird.
Jade Princess, Decked Out, She’s a Warrior and Merirosvo are totally outclassed, but complete the field. It would be pretty shocking to see Songbird fail to hit the wire first in the Las Virgenes, but crazier has happened (maybe.)