ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Songbird won the $200,000 Summertime Oaks for 3-year-old fillies by 6 1/2 lengths Saturday at Santa Anita to improve to 8-0.
Ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, Songbird ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.63 and paid $2.10, $2.10 and $2.10 in the Grade 2 race. Wagering on the filly generated a minus show pool of $201,400, with a staggering $1,017,594 out of a total show pool of $1,081,223 was bet on her to finish no worse than third.
Songbird has won her eight career starts by a combined 42 1/2 lengths under Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who turned 70 on Saturday.
Bellamentary returned $2.40 and $2.10 as the 7-1 second choice, while Kay Kay was another nose back in third and paid $3.40 to show.
That's a Lady was fourth and Sutton's Smile last. Not Now Carolyn and Coppa were scratched.
Songbird had been idle since winning the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 9.
"I was very happy the way she looked going down the backside," Hollendorfer said. "She was very comfortable, with her ears up, looking for something. The opportunity presented itself to be just a little off the pace and now we've shown everyone we can do that."
Songbird cruised to the lead leaving the three-furlong pole.
"She stayed in the spot that she wanted to be, cruising alongside of her and it's just amazing, her cruising speed," Smith said. "She started lengthening her stride on the backside and I knew we were comfortable. I knew she was going to fire. I just tried to stay out of her way. She has wings on her hooves. It scares me to think of how good she is."
Smith said last year's champion 2-year-old filly has "been ready" to take on male competition. However, Hollendorfer said he thinks Songbird will stay in the female ranks for now.
The victory, worth $120,000, increased Songbird's career earnings to $2,102,000.
In the $75,000 Rainbow Stakes, Mr. Roary led all the way to win by a nose, ending an eight-race skid while winning for the first time in his career under Edwin Maldonado.
The 3-year-old gelding ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:47.48 and paid $78, $29.20 and $14.
Ralis returned $8.60 and $6, while Liam the Charmer was another half-length back in third and paid $3.60 to show.
