Hollendorfer high on Songbird ahead of Chandelier
ARCADIA, Calif. – The brilliance Songbird showed in going unbeaten in two starts in sprints at Del Mar this summer provided a foundation for a different assignment on Saturday – a start at 1 1/16 miles in the $300,000 Chandelier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.
There may be little suspense to the outcome.
“She can run long,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Thursday.
Why not? Songbird has done everything she’s attempted in her first two starts. Owned by Fox Hill Farms, Songbird won her debut by 6 1/2 lengths in a six-furlong maiden race July 26. She won her stakes debut with an exciting performance in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs Sept. 5, dueling for the lead before pulling clear to win by 5 1/4 lengths.
The Grade 1 Chandelier drew a field of nine, but Songbird might not have eight rivals. Trainer Bob Baffert said Pretty N Cool, the winner of the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 12 and the runner-up in the Debutante, might not run.
Asked what would prevent Pretty N Cool from a start in the Chandelier, Baffert had a quick reply.
“A horse called Songbird,” he said.
The Chandelier Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth to the BC Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland on Oct. 31 if the winner if nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program.
KEY CONTENDERS
Songbird (Last 2 Beyers: 85-84)
* The success Songbird showed was not unexpected, Hollendorfer said. By Medaglia d’Oro, Songbird was purchased for $400,000 at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale.
“We’ve always liked the way she trained and the way she was doing,” Hollendorfer said.
* Songbird led in her two wins at Del Mar and is likely to have a forward position under jockey Mike Smith, her regular rider.
“Every race is a new test and the same for everybody,” Hollendorfer said. “We have to prove something.”
Land Over Sea (Last 3 Beyers: 72-65-58)
* Land Over Sea was beaten six lengths by Songbird in the Del Mar Debutante, her stakes debut. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Land Over Sea won a maiden race at a mile on turf at Del Mar on July 29 in her second start.
* In the Debutante, Land Over Sea was seventh early and third in early stretch. She finished three-quarters of a length behind Pretty N Cool.
“I know Songbird looks like a special filly,” O’Neill said. “We’re eager to try two turns. She has the same spacing as Songbird.”
Jade Princess (Last 2 Beyers: 58-43)
* Jade Princess was a well-beaten fifth in her debut as the 6-5 favorite in a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 9 but rebounded nicely to win a maiden race at a mile Aug. 27. Trained by Baffert, Jade Princess closed from fourth in the maiden race to win by 5 1/4 lengths.
“I think she’s more of a distance horse,” Baffert said.
Right There (Last 3 Beyers: 62-56-56)
* Right There won the Landaluce Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs here in June but struggled at Del Mar with fourth-place finishes in the Sorrento Stakes and Del Mar Debutante. She could be a threat from the back if the pace is quick.
Curlin’s Fox in Unzip Me Stakes
Curlin’s Fox, the impressive winner of the Sandy Blue Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 14, will be favored to win the fourth race of her career in Saturday’s $70,000 Unzip Me Stakes on the hillside turf course.
Curlin’s Fox, trained by Carla Gaines, won twice on the hillside earlier this year. In the Sandy Blue, she beat Singing Kitty, a two-time stakes winner earlier this year who is part of the Unzip Me field.