Undefeated Songbird makes it 6 in a row in the Santa Ysabel

March 5th 2016

Today at Santa Anita Park, Songbird churned out another familiar winning tune, extending her undefeated streak to six with a dominant performance in the 1 1/16th mile Santa Ysabel Stakes (shown below). What was most impressive is that she produced a final winning time of 1:43.02 so effortlessly.

It has been extremely clear since last October that this filly was as talented as any of the 2 year-old colts but her owner Rick Porter has insisted that he will not enter her in the Kentucky Derby stating: “Running in the Derby would just be for ego, and I’m over that. I would love to win the Derby, but with a really good colt.”

Instead, Songbird will be pointed towards the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 6th. However, don’t be surprised if she eventually contests the boys at some point in the fall if she continues to dominate the filly fields. But after the Kentucky Oaks, her owner stated in December that he is looking ahead and eyeing the Filly Triple Crown (aka the New York Filly Triple Tiara). Over the years, this has involved three of these four races: The 1-mile Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park June 11th, the 1 1/16th mile Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont on July 2nd, the 1 1/8th mile Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on July 24th and the 1 1/4th mile Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on August 20th.

One thing that is certain, there is a ton of Girl Power talent to look forward to watching this year with three-year-olds Songbird, Rachel’s Valentina and Cathryn Sophia. Then the older division stars like Beholder, Lady Eli, Tepin and Stopchargingmaria.

–Michael