Songbird under consideration for Summertime Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. - Songbird, the undefeated champion 2-year-old filly of 2015, continues to progress toward a comeback from an April illness and could start as soon as the $200,000 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on June 18.

Sunday, Songbird worked five furlongs in 1:00, which equaled the third-fastest time of 47 recorded works at the distance. Songbird was ridden by exercise rider Edgar Rodriguez and was not urged during the exercise.

“We weren’t pushing her,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

Songbird has had two recorded workouts since she returned to training following a rest in April. After winning her seventh race in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 9, Songbird was taken out of training because of an illness. The setback prevented her from starting in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 6 where she would have been a heavy favorite.

Owned by Rick Porter, Songbird has earned $1,982,000 in her wins. Hollendorfer said the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles is an option, but is not a definite start for Songbird.

“She’s coming along fine,” he said. “I’m under no pressure from Rick Porter to make any race. We’ll get her ready and get a race. It would be easier to get a race here than go anywhere else. We don’t have anything concrete.”