Songbird a likely favorite for Chandelier after Debutante victory

DEL MAR, Calif. – The decisive win by Songbird in Saturday’s $301,250 Del Mar Debutante will lead to a predictable schedule in coming weeks.

Songbird is the likely favorite for the $300,000 Chandelier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles Sept. 26 at Santa Anita, a key prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland on Oct. 31. Songbird will very much be part of the discussion for the BC Juvenile Fillies if she can repeat her performance from the Debutante in the Chandelier.

“I think she did it quite nicely,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Sunday morning. “I was thinking it over, and it was a good race.”

Owned by Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm, Songbird is unbeaten in two starts, also having won a maiden race at six furlongs July 26. By Medaglia d’Oro, Songbird was purchased for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale in August 2014.

In the Debutante at seven furlongs, Songbird ($4.20) always was near the front. She fought for the lead with Pretty N Cool to early stretch before drawing away to win by 5 1/2 lengths, finishing in 1:22.65.

Immediately after the race, Hollendorfer described the win as “spectacular.”

Jockey Mike Smith had the same thoughts leaving the winner’s circle.

“I know they’ve got high hopes for her,” Smith said. “I think when they stretch her out, she’s going to be even better.”

Pretty N Cool was beaten for the first time, in her third start. Trained by Bob Baffert, Pretty N Cool won the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs in her stakes debut Aug. 12. She is likely to challenge Songbird in the Chandelier.

“She ran well,” Baffert said Sunday. “She was second-best, but she tried hard.”