Vale Dori

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by freddymo

She ran well, her fig was about what the other G1's fillies and mares had been running. My point is given dynamics she is suppose to win that race comfortably. Beholder ran a much better race and while Beholder is lauded as one of the greatest EVAH I don't hold her in that regard a worthy Champion of course but she isnt on my Mt Rushmore. Songbird got as soft a set up as anyone could have foreseen and Stellar Wind laying an egg changed the whole race. She is really good but in my mind her not drawing off and winning that race by 1/2 to length pretty much proved she was exactly what I thought she was. Mind you if Stellar wind had run her nice seriously doubt Songbird would have been better then 3rd

Well, that was clearly the toughest field Songbird had ever faced and had she wilted down the stretch after the comfortable pace setup, sure you could say she was exposed. But visually, she clearly responded when challenged by a much more experienced and battle-tested mare in Beholder. I think she validated the "hype" and it will be interesting to see what she does at 4. As you know, many a top class 3yo filly have faltered the next year (My Flag, Silverbulletday, Winning Colors, etc.) but hopefully we see her progress.

As for Stellar Wind, I'm surprised that she gets a pass and avoids the "overhyped" branding. She has never delivered when it counted most.