Songbird makes easy work of drill

DEL MAR, Calif. – On Labor Day morning, it was back to work for Songbird, the unbeaten champion filly, who turned in another flawless workout at Del Mar as she stays on track for the Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion for 3-year-old fillies at Parx on Sept. 24.

Songbird bookended the summer training at Del Mar. But in between, she spent a month at Saratoga, where she won the Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama to up her record to 10-0 and solidify her chances of repeating as a divisional champion after earning the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly last year.

On Monday, Songbird went five furlongs in 1:00.20 and was going so easily that clockers labeled the work “breezing,” a designation rarely given out in California. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he had Songbird galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.91, seven furlongs in 1:26, and a mile in 1:39.70.

“It was a real nice breeze,” Hollendorfer said. “I’m very pleased with how she’s doing.”

With Del Mar’s final racing day on Monday and the stable area soon to close, Hollendorfer said Songbird would be headed to Santa Anita. She is scheduled for two works there – the first on next Sunday or Monday, the second on Sept. 18 – before departing for Parx.