Hollendorfer in no hurry to resume training with Songbird

Songbird, the undefeated champion, continues to progress from a fever that will keep her out of the $1 million Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 6, but has yet to return to racetrack training.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Sunday that Songbird walked earlier in the day at his stable at Santa Anita.

“We’re monitoring her every day,” Hollendorfer said. “She hasn’t had a temperature in six days.”

On April 17, owner Rick Porter announced Songbird would miss the Kentucky Oaks after being treated with antibiotics for a fever diagnosed in the days following her win in the $400,345 Santa Anita Oaks on April 9.

Without the Kentucky Oaks as a goal, Hollendorfer said on Sunday he is not in a hurry to put Songbird back in training.

“We missed our point race,” he said. “We want everything to be perfect.”

The champion 2-year-old filly of 2015, Songbird would have been a heavy favorite in the Kentucky Oaks. Songbird has won six stakes, including four Grade 1 races.

By Medaglia d’Oro, Songbird has earned $1,982,000 for Porter, who bought her for $400,000 at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale.