Songbird, Beholder work for Breeders' Cup Distaff

ARCADIA, Calif. – Two of the leading candidates for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff worked minutes apart Thursday at Santa Anita while their trainers had fun monitoring each other’s activity.

Beholder worked a half-mile in 49 seconds, breezing, for Richard Mandella. Songbird worked five furlongs in 58.60 for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Beholder’s work was planned for immediately after the 6:30 a.m. renovation break. Upon learning that Songbird also was scheduled to work, Mandella jokingly said, “Tell [Hollendorfer] we’ll meet up at the half.”

But it was an easy morning for Beholder, who worked by herself. It was her first drill since finishing second in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes.

Songbird worked at 6:45, catching company at the half-mile pole.

“I don’t think that was by design,” Hollendorfer said. “For her, that was just a regular work. She went chasing that other one a little bit. It was a very good work; she galloped out just fine. She’s doing well right now and very happy.”

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So was Hollendorfer, whose jovial mood was evident when he called clockers to get Songbird’s official work time. But then Hollendorfer remembered something and called the clockers back with a final question – “It’s not my business, but how did Beholder go?” he asked.

Songbird, Beholder, and Stellar Wind are the leading contenders for the BC Distaff on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita. Cavorting, one of the top females on the East Coast, was declared from the race Thursday by trainer Kiaran McLaughlin after she was found to have bruising of her cannon bones.