Songbird hadn’t started since the G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff last November, but it made no difference as she cruised to a one-length victory in the G1 Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont Park.
Breaking alertly under regular rider Mike Smith, the four-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro took the lead right out of the gate. Songbird opened a one-length lead on the backstretch, and continued to hold that advantage going into the far turn.
At the top of the stretch, Graded Stakes winner Paid Up Subscriber made her move and pulled alongside Songbird with just over a furlong to run. The pair matched strides briefly, but Songbird shifted gears and took command, cruising under the wire under a hands-and-heels ride from Smith. Paid Up Subscriber finished second, with Girolamo’s G2 winner Highway Star closing well for third.
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.
Songbird is the seventh stakes winner of the year for Medaglia d’Oro, who has also sired G1 winner Dickinson and G3 winner Ever So Clever in 2017.
Medaglia d’Oro is standing the 2017 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for a fee of $150,000.
