Songbird fan club figures to have plenty to cheer about in Summertime Oaks
ARCADIA, Calif. – Songbird has defined the last year of racing for owner Rick Porter, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, and jockey Mike Smith. They are the core of a group of followers closest to the undefeated champion, who will start as a heavy favorite in Saturday’s $200,000 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita.
“A horse like that means a lot, not only to me but everyone in the stable when she goes out there and runs so well,” Hollendorfer said. “She’s not just for the owner and trainer or rider, but the whole barn is proud to have her.”
Songbird has won seven races, including six consecutive stakes. She was diagnosed with a fever a week after an easy win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 9, which prevented her from starting in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 6.
Songbird was back in training when that race was run and has worked steadily for her comeback in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks, run at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-old fillies. She has little competition among her six rivals, none a graded stakes winner.
KEY CONTENDERS
Songbird, by Medaglia d’Oro
Last 3 Beyers: 93-93-88
◗ Songbird has won her seven races by a combined 36 lengths. She won the Santa Anita Oaks by 3 3/4 lengths, her smallest margin of victory. Smith did not urge Songbird in the final furlong of the Santa Anita Oaks.
◗ The recent illness is behind Songbird, Hollendorfer said.
“That happens,” Hollendorfer said. “The good news is we’re back and ready to race.”
◗ Asked if Songbird is 100 percent prepared for the Summertime Oaks, Hollendorfer said, “I think she is.”
◗ Hollendorfer took a cautious approach to planning a comeback race for Songbird, deciding only earlier this month that the Summertime Oaks was the goal. The race was finalized after a discussion with Porter.
“We wanted to make sure everything fit together,” Hollendorfer said. “We decided this is a race with a decent purse, and we decided to stay here instead of shipping after a layoff.”
◗ Songbird has led or disputed the pace in all of her races, often taking a commanding lead on the backstretch. In the Summertime Oaks, she could face pace pressure from Coppa, who is unbeaten in two starts, both sprints at 6 1/2 furlongs.
Coppa, by Yesbyjimminy
Beyers: 87-80
◗ Coppa is one of three fillies in the field trained by Phil D’Amato, although he said Sutton’s Smile could be withdrawn in favor of Sunday’s $200,000 Honeymoon Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf.
◗ Coppa beat maidens at Del Mar last November and did not start again until May 21, winning an optional claimer by 3 1/4 lengths from the front against older fillies and mares under jockey Joe Talamo.
◗ The distance of the Summertime Oaks will be a test for Coppa.
“I’ve quizzed Joe, and he thinks she’ll go two turns,” D’Amato said.
Bellamentary, by Bellamy Road
Last 3 Beyers: 83-77-78
◗ Bellamentary, trained by D’Amato, rebounded from a fifth-place finish behind Songbird in the Santa Anita Oaks to win her first stakes in the Angels Flight Stakes at seven furlongs May 15.
◗ D’Amato is hoping for at least a placing in a graded stakes to enhance Bellamentary’s value.
“I’m happy with her,” D’Amato said. “She’s matured since her last race.”