Songbird Wires Chandelier Stakes
The Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes was practically a walkover for Songbird. She went gate-to-wire easily thanks in part to a pre-race scratch of Pretty N Cool. That left Songbird as the lone speed and she did the rest.
Songbird broke right out of the starting gate and went to the lead. She was followed by Jade Princess in second, Halo Darlin in third, and Land Over Sea in fourth. Yodelsong and Vieja Luna sat together in fifth and sixth, respectively. Sheeza Milky Way was seventh early and Right There was last of eight after a slow break and she was also rank. It seemed as if Right There was going to be pulled up on the first turn, but she kept on running.
Songbird faced no pace pressure on the lead on the backstretch and into the far turn. Land Over Sea began to move up entering the far turn while Jade Princess was ridden hard to stay with her. The rest of the field was not a threat as they turned for home.
The lead began to dwindle for Songbird, but she had not been pushed. As they straightened for home, Songbird was sent to put an advantage on Land Over Sea and she pulled away for a 4 1/2 length victory. Land Over Sea finished second, but it was nearly 10 lengths back to Right There in third. It was almost another 6 lengths back to fourth place finisher Vieja Luna.
The remaining order of finish was Jade Princess, Halo Darlin, Sheeza Milky Way, and Yodelsong. The entire chart can be found here courtesy of Equibase.
Songbird ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.79. She was ridden by Mike Smith and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She went off as the 1-5 favorite, paid $2.40 to win, $2.20 to place, and $2.10 to show.
Songbird also earned 10 points towards the Kentucky Oaks Points Leaderboard, which will determine the fillies that start in the 2016 Kentucky Oaks. Land Over Sea earned four points, Right There received two points, and Vieja Luna received one point.
The Road to the Kentucky Oaks will continue next weekend. There will be one on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday across North America.