Songbird improving, will resume training soon

CYPRESS, Calif. – Songbird, the undefeated champion 2-year-old filly of 2015, has made progress recovering from an illness that will keep her from starting in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 6 and could resume racetrack training in the coming days.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Wednesday that Songbird is “doing very well.”

“I would expect that she could return to the track soon,” he said. “She’s at the front of the stall looking for something to do.”

On Sunday, owner Rick Porter announced that Songbird had emerged from her win in the Santa Anita Oaks on April 9 with a “low-grade fever.” The illness was treated with antibiotics on Sunday. At the time, Porter estimated that Songbird would return to the racetrack within a week to 10 days.

Hollendorfer said on Wednesday that he is not in a hurry to make race plans.

“We’re going to be very conservative,” he said.

Songbird, by Medaglia d’Oro, has won seven races by a combined 36 lengths. She has won six stakes, including four Grade 1 races. Songbird would have been a heavy favorite in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-old fillies.

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