Arcadia, CA
Songbird continued her dominance as she romped to victory in Saturday's Grade II Las Virgenes Stakes.
Making her first start since October, after taking the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland, the champion took the stakes race by a measured 6 1/2 lengths.
Jockey Mike Smith had Songbird geared down to a morning workout once they crossed the wire, started her three-year-old campaign in dominate fashion.
The three-year-old filly cruised on the lead through her own opening fractions of :23 and :47. Finishing the 1 mile race in an effortless final time of 1:36.
Land Over Sea, who finished seventh in the BC Juvenile Fillies, ran second, and maiden She's a Warrior rounded out the distant trifecta.
Songbird, the heavy favorite for good reason, returned $2.10 to win.
Owner Rick Porter said he has no desire to run his filly against the boys this spring, ruling out a start in the Kentucky Derby or any prep races leading up to that race.
Songbird has now earned over $1.5 million and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said the Santa Anita Oaks on April 9 is the next race on the horizon.