Songbird works, Lucky Folie to miss next start

ARCADIA, Calif. – The country’s top 2-year-old filly took one small step toward a comeback Saturday at Santa Anita, while another promising 2-year-old filly took a step backward.

The undefeated Songbird posted her first workout on the comeback trail, working an easy three furlongs for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Meanwhile, stakes winner Lucky Folie came down with a temperature that will force her to miss a scheduled start next weekend.

“[Songbird] worked 36 and 2 and galloped out 50,” Hollendorfer said. “She doesn’t look like she lost much during her little freshening.”

Songbird won all four starts in 2015, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

“She looks better [than fall],” Hollendorfer said. “She was very smooth. She’ll probably be on a six-day pattern.”

Hollendorfer will aim Songbird to the Grade 2, $300,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at one mile Feb. 6. Songbird went 4 for 4 in 2015 and earned $1,502,000. In addition to the BC Juvenile Fillies, she won the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante and Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita.

A daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, Songbird is owned by Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farms.

Lucky Folie, the 2-year-old filly expected to be among the favorites Jan. 2 in the Grade3 2 Santa Ynez Stakes, got sick and will miss the 6 1/2-furlong race, trainer Richard Mandella said Saturday.

“She had a temperature and got sick for a couple days,” Mandella said. “We’re hoping it’s over, but she won’t run for a little bit.”

The setback is considered minor.

Lucky Folie won the seven-furlong Desi Arnaz Stakes on Nov. 15 at Del Mar, her second win from three starts. Lucky Folie is a daughter of Distorted Humor, owned and bred by Wertheimer and Frere.

When she recovers, Mandella suggested Lucky Folie would likely return to a sprint.

With the defection of Lucky Folie from the 6 1/2-furlong Santa Ynez, leading nominees include the 3-for-3 Code Warrior, based in Northern California, along with stakes winners Pretty N Cool and Surfside Tiara.