She took an early lead and drew away in the last quarter mile to win by six and a half lengths in front of the favored Tiz A Tommy Town. On September 5 at the same track the filly was moved up sharply in class to contest the Grade I Del Mar Debutante Stakes and started the 11/10 favorite in a ten-runner field. Her main rival in the betting was the Bob Baffert-trained Pretty N Cool who had won the Grade II Sorrento Stakes on her previous start. Songbird took an early lead but was headed by Pretty N Cool after three furlongs. She soon regained the advantage and went clear in the straight to win by five and a quarter lengths with Pretty N Cool holding on for second ahead of Land Over Sea. Mike Smith commented "For such a big mare, things just come so easy for her. I've been getting on her in the mornings and I'm impressed by just how well she does things. She came right out of that gate today—so smooth." Three weeks after her win in the Debutante, Songbird went for another Grade I prize when she started odds-on favorite for the Chandelier Stakes over eight and a half furlongs at Santa Anita Park. Baffert's Jade Princess was the second choice while Land Over Sea appeared the best of the other six entrants. Smith sent Songbird into the lead from the start and the favorite never looked in any danger of defeat, coming home four and a half lengths clear of Land Over Sea. After the race Smith praised the winner's attitude and temperament saying "Not only does she have the ability but she has the mind to go with it... She's so intelligent, she's so smart and listens to everything I tell her". Songbird ventured out of California for the first time when she was made 3/5 favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland on October 31. Her most serious opponents appeared to be Rachel's Valentina (winner of the Spinaway Stakes and the second foal of Rachel Alexandra), Tap To It (runner-up in the Spinaway), Land Over Sea and Nickname (Frizette Stakes), with the other five fillies starting at 26/1 or longer. Drawn on the extreme outside of the field, Songbird broke quickly and went straight into the lead. Rachel's Valentina raced in second without ever threatening the favorite and