Does Songbird Stack up to Racing's Elite so far?

There's no doubt that 2016 has been dominated by female racehorses. Tepin, Beholder and Songbird have stamped themselves as some of the best; if not the best horses in the country.

Tepin got off to a slower start in her journey to becoming the champion she is today. Beholder wasn't successful her first time out, but she quickly got the hang of things. Even Rachel Alexandra got off to a bit of a slow start. Her sophomore year is when everything came together.

Rachel Alexandra won the Kentucky Oaks by a dominating twenty lengths under a hand ride. She went on to win the Preakness Stakes, the Haskell Stakes, and then the Woodward Stakes against older male horses. In my opinion, she is the greatest filly of all time. Rachel Alexandra is the filly I always compare up and coming filly stars to. Ironically, Rachel Alexandra and Songbird have the same sire. Talent certainly runs in the family.

Genuine Risk is arguably one the best fillies as well. She got off to a flying start, winning her first six races. She prepped for the Kentucky Derby in the Wood Memorial Stakes against the boys and ran in all three Triple Crown races. She won the Kentucky Derby in 1980, becoming only the second filly in the history of the race to win. She then went on be a gallant second in both the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes; that is no small feat. She was just as tough as the boys, and treated as such. It's hard to compare modern race fillies against horses such as Genuine Risk, because the fillies and colts ran against each other more often. It wasn't as big of a deal as it is today. Many horses are not bred to be as strong as they used to be; owners are very cautious with their horses, and rightfully so. 

Winning Colors was the third filly to win the Kentucky Derby in 1988. She also got off to a great start winning her first three races. She went on to win the Santa Anita Oaks and Santa Anita Derby her sophomore year before winning the Kentucky Derby. She also ran in all three Triple Crown races. She put in a valiant run in both races, to finish a third in the Preakness Stakes and sixth in the Belmont Stakes, respectively. Just running in all three races, and doing well, is more than many of today's accomplishments by top colts.

I can't leave Ruffian out, she won her maiden by 15 lengths and was unstoppable after that. In a time where women were fighting for more rights, she became an icon and an inspiration to many, proving she was just as good as the males, if not better. The only race she lost, was a race she didn't finish. Her breakdown in the match race against Foolish Pleasure was heartbreaking to fans all across the world. Just how great was Ruffian? We'll never know. 

And then of course there was the giant of a filly named Zenyatta. She didn't enter a race until very late in her sophomore year. She then went on to be named Champion Older Female three years in a row, and the 2010 Horse of the Year. Zenyatta is certainly one of the most well known fillies in recent history. There is no denying her incredible talent and heart; she raced twenty times, only losing one race to finish a courageous second to Blame in the Breeder's Cup Classic.  

There have been many wonderful fillies, especially in recent years; Untapable, Eight Belles, Princess of Sylmar, Personal Ensign, Lady's Secret, Princess Rooney, Go For Wand, Azeri, Shuvee, were all top class fillies. However, none of them have possessed Songbird's undeniable talent from the beginning, her freakish way she skips over every track and wins with stunning ease. 

Songbird broke her maiden effortlessly and won the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes in her next start. Songbird has never been tested and her races always leave her fans inquisitive. Every time she steps on the track she wins with devastating ease. How gifted is this filly?

Like Beholder and Zenyatta, in the early part of their careers, Songbird's owners have kept her away from the colts. It's hard to tell how she will fair against them until that day comes. Judging by her races so far, where she is just galloping around the track, I think it's safe to say she could handle a lot more. 

While Zenyatta is ranked at the top of many people's lists, at this point in her career, she was nothing compared to Songbird. Some horses certainly mature faster than others, but nonetheless Songbird is exceptional. Mike Smith rode both Zenyatta and Songbird and he is quoted as saying: "Songbird might be the greatest horse I have ever ridden." 

Songbird has never let racing fans down; be it a fast track or a sloppy one, she charges to the lead and wins with authority. She has now won all her races by a combined thirty nine and a half lengths. There have been many great fillies to win numerous races such as Songbird has, but not with the ease Songbird shows. Even as a two year old, she dominated her competition. 

I think Songbird's brilliant career is only beginning. She is gearing up for the Saratoga meet this summer, and will hopefully face the colts next year. I think that winning against the colts will solidify her as one of the best fillies who have ever graced the racetrack.  

For now, I am looking forward to seeing this magnificent filly win in person, hopefully opening weekend at Saratoga.