Fox Hill Farm’s Songbird denied the ‘Graveyard of Champions’ a victim once again as she soared to a seven-length victory in the G1 Alabama Stakes.
The Alabama marked the sixth G1 victory for the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who remains perfect in ten career starts.
Songbird broke alertly under regular rider Mike Smith and settled in second, just a half-length off the leader, Go Maggie Go. Songbird continued to track Go Maggie Go as the field raced down the backstretch. Songbird took a slight lead after a half-mile, and continued to hold that advantage entering the far turn.
By the time the field hit the top of the stretch, Songbird had begun to distance herself from her rivals, eventually cruising to a seven-length victory under just mild urging from Mike Smith.
Bred in Kentucky by John Antonelli, Songbird was purchased for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale by Fox Hill Farm. Songbird is out of Ivanavinalot, who captured the G2 Bonnie Miss and was second in the G2 Davona Dale as a three-year-old.
Medaglia d'Oro is experiencing yet another outstanding year in 2016 having sired 12 Black type winners so far. In addition to Songbird, Medaglia d’Oro’s son Mshawish has illustrated his sire’s versatility by capturing the G1 Donn Handicap on the dirt after having won the G1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap last year. Medaglia d’Oro’s worldwide influence is exemplified by the likes of Vancouver, a G1 winner in Australia last year, in addition to five additional Group winners in Australia in 2016.
