By Christie DeBernardis
Following yet another sensational victory in Saturday's GII Summertime Oaks, undefeated champion Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) is likely to make her next start on the East Coast, according to owner Rick Porter.
“The plan is the [GI] Coaching Club American Oaks [at Saratoga July 24], which would be the next logical move,” Porter told the TDN Sunday afternoon. “The only other possibility would be the [GIII] Delaware Oaks [July 9] because it's the same purse, but the Coaching Club is probably where we are going. I'm not totally ruling Delaware out, but I'm almost 100% sure we are going to the Coaching Club. If we were successful in the Coaching Club, we would go to the [GI] Alabama [S. Aug. 20] and than the [GI] Cotillion [S. at Parx Sept. 24]. That's the long range plan.”
Porter added, “We could go right to the Breeders' Cup then. Obviously, we would run in the [GI Breeders' Cup] Distaff, unless Beholder (Henny Hughes) goes in the Distaff, then I have to go somewhere else. I am getting way ahead of myself, but you always have a plan and hope things go well.”
As for running Songbird againts males, Porter will wait until next year.
“I have no intention of running against the boys this year,” Porter remarked. “None of the 3-year-old boys really scare me, but I'd like to beat the best girls first! I want to beat Carina Mia (Malibu Moon) first, then I'd feel more confident. I didn't want to run against the boys this year, but I'd definitely consider it next year as a 4-year-old.”
Kicking off this season with a trio of impressive wins at Santa Anita, Songbird was removed from GI Kentucky Oaks consideration after spiking a fever that forced her to miss training following her victory in the Apr. 9 GI Santa Anita Oaks. Returning to the races Saturday, the “TDN Rising Star” sat second for the first time in her career, pressing a fast pace before cruising home to an effortless 6 1/2-length victory.
“She came out of the race good and she's happy,” Hall of Fame pilot Mike Smith, who has been aboard for each of Songbird's eight victories, told the Santa Anita notes team. “I went to the barn this morning and she stuck her head out of the stall like nothing happened [Saturday].”
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