Undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) made her first trip to the Saratoga main track Friday morning, a handful of hours after arriving in upstate New York ahead of Sunday's GI Coaching Club American Oaks.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer was on hand for the Eclipse Award winner's session, which included a trip to the gate and a visit to the paddock prior to her gallop.
“She had a good trip over the track,” said the Hall of Famer, who arrived from California a day earlier. “She tested [exercise rider Edgar Rodriguez] a little bit out there; she got a little tough with him the second time around, so that was good–she likes the track.”
Hollendorfer has had success in recent years shipping in for Grade Is, as Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision) came to the Spa to take the Alabama S. in 2010 and 'TDN Rising Star' Sweet Lulu (Mr. Greeley) annexed the GI Test S. in 2013.
“It's always nice to be at a big meet like Saratoga,” Hollendorfer commented. “We're having our big summer meet out at Del Mar and that is important to us, too. But it's important to have a horse come here and run, and if you can do well here, I think that is well-regarded in the racing community.”
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