© Benoit Photo
NYRA Press Release: Songbird’s Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has arrived at Saratoga Race Course to put the final touches on his star 3-year-old filly ahead of Saturday’s Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama.
Stabled at Saratoga since before her eye-catching 5 ¼-length victory in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, Fox Hill Farm’s Songbird has held to Hollenforfer’s typical training regimen ahead of race day, going out for a routine gallop and schooling in the starting gate Thursday morning.
In the absence of her West Coast-based conditioner, the dark bay daughter of Medaglia d’Oro has been primarily under the care of Hollendorfer’s traveling assistant Christina Jelm during her summer sojourn at the Spa.
“She looks great. She’s settled in beautifully at Saratoga,” Hollendorfer reported. “She had a real good day today. She galloped strong and stood in the gate very nicely. We’re just trying to cover all the bases. We have one more day to train [and] we’ll do a little [paddock] schooling in the afternoon and then we’ll be all set.”
The reigning 2-year-old champion filly will take on six rivals, including graded stakes winner Go Maggie Go and Family Tree, as she looks to extend her unbeaten streak to 10 while trying the 1 ¼ miles of the Alabama for the first time, a distance Hollendorfer describes as “right up her alley.”
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to sign up for email newsletters and special offers from The Turf Board!
