Hollendorfer likes what he sees from Songbird's work

ARCADIA, Calif. – The favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff were home early after training in the dark Sunday morning at Santa Anita. All were back in their stalls before sunrise.

“The early bird gets the worm,” Songbird trainer Jerry Hollendorfer joked Sunday at 5 a.m. “I like those old sayings.”

Hollendorfer also likes what he sees from Songbird, likely to open as an 8-5 favorite on the Daily Racing Form odds line after post positions are drawn Monday. A field of eight is expected.

“I couldn’t ask for her to be doing any better,” Hollendorfer said. Songbird, the unbeaten 3-year-old filly, galloped 1 1/2 miles Sunday at 5:20, and will gallop daily into the race.

The first Distaff candidate to train Sunday was Stellar Wind, who jogged one mile at 5:10. She had a strong six-furlong work Friday, and walked Saturday. Trainer John Sadler’s normal routine following a workout is to walk horses the next day, jog the next day and then resume galloping.

Stellar Wind is not a flashy worker. Her 1:13.20 work Friday was outstanding, by her standards.

Forever Unbridled, the Grade 1 winner based at Churchill Downs, galloped for the second straight day at Santa Anita. She arrived in California on Friday, and looked good galloping Sunday morning at 5:30 for trainer Dallas Stewart.

Beholder, three-time champion and two-time Breeders’ Cup winner (2012 Juvenile Fillies, 2013 Distaff), returned to trainer Richard Mandella’s barn at 6:15 after a morning gallop.

Although she was “horsing” (ovulating) Thursday when she worked six furlongs, Beholder was no longer “in season” Sunday.

Beholder will be making the final start of her 17 for 25 career in the Distaff. She is expected to be tabbed 5-2 second choice after post positions are drawn Monday. Stellar Wind is likely to open as 3-1 third choice by DRF.

Curalina was scheduled to ship Sunday from New York; I’m a Chatterbox was scheduled to ship Monday from Kentucky. Outsiders Land Over Sea and Corona Del Inca will complete the expected field of eight. Carina Mia is cross-entered in the BC Filly & Mare Sprint, and is expected to run in that race.

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