Songbird takes dirt in final work for Summertime Oaks

In winning all seven of her starts, Songbird never had to take dirt. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, aware that one afternoon Songbird might find herself behind horses, gave her a behind-horses education on Saturday morning at Santa Anita.

Songbird worked seven furlongs at 5:45 Pacific, breaking off five lengths behind her workmates, taking dirt, splitting her rivals, and rolling home in her final drill leading up to her comeback next Saturday in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks.

“I wanted to make sure that she got some dirt on her,” Hollendorfer said. “I wanted to make sure that in case she wasn’t on the lead, that she knows what to do … and she knows what to do.”

Hollendorfer pronounced Songbird a “go” for the Summertime Oaks next weekend, her first start since winning the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 9. She got sick after the race, missed 17 days, and resumed training May 1. Her Saturday workout was her fourth in a sequence.

“If she comes out good, which I am sure that she will, we’ll probably be in the race next weekend,” Hollendorfer said, referring to the Summertime Oaks.

Hollendorfer elected to work Songbird early Saturday. He said, “The track was good, and there were not many people here.”

The idea of giving Songbird a “take-dirt” workout education could pay dividends in the 1 1/16-mile Summertime Oaks because the field is likely to include two fast sprinters stretching out. Coppa, 2 for 2 after an allowance sprint, and Bellamentary, 3 for 5 after winning a sprint stakes, both are expected to be involved in the early pace.

Coppa and Bellamentary are trained by Phil D’Amato; others expected in the Summertime Oaks are Kay Kay, Not Now Carolyn, and She’s a Warrior.