odds-on favorite in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Santa Anita. In her first race against older horses, she faced a strong field that included Stellar Wind, the previous year's American Champion three-year-old filly, and the three-time American champion filly or mare and 2013 Distaff winner, Beholder. From the inside post position of the eight-horse field, Songbird took an early lead tracked until challenged by Beholder on the final turn. The pair engaged in a prolonged struggle in the straight before Beholder prevailed by a scant nose in a photo-finish. Stevens described the race by saying, "I've been in battles before, but never the length of the stretch . . . definitely a quarter of a mile of just a street fight." Of the near-dead heat between the two horses, decided by an inch, Smith stated, "It's just too bad someone had to lose," adding, "my filly ran incredible. I'm so proud of her." Songbird was the unanimous winner of the Eclipse Award for American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly. She was also nominated for Horse of the Year, along with California Chrome and Arrogate. 2017: Four-year-old season Songbird was originally scheduled to return to racing in March 2017 in the Santa Margarita Stakes. However, early in the year she kicked the wall of her stall and experienced some swelling in her leg. She finally returned on June 10 at Belmont Park in the Ogden Phipps Stakes, in which she was the odds-on favorite despite the seven-month layoff. She broke well and went to the early lead but was challenged around the turn by Paid-Up Subscriber, who briefly got a head in front rounding into the homestretch. Songbird rallied and drew off again to win by a length. Hollendorfer said, "I'm not sure she's at the top of her game right now, but she did very well today." On July 15, Songbird was entered in the Delaware Handicap, in which she was the overwhelming favorite at odds of 1-20. She was assigned topweight of , conceding at least eight pounds to her rivals. She broke well and moved to the early lead, setting moderate fractions. Around the far turn, she was challenged by Martini Glass, who closed to within half a length. Under heavy urging, Songbird held off the challenge and won by a length. "I think the mile and a quarter might not be her best distance," said Smith, "I was more