Champion filly Songbird has been ruled out of the Kentucky Oaks with a low-grade fever for which she is being treated.
Undefeated in seven starts including the Santa Anita Oaks on April 9, Songbird was the highest-ranked three-year-old on 120 in the latest world rankings released last week.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said she had not been able to train recently.
“She will be taken care of and will go back to the track only when she is 100 per cent,” Hollendorfer told AP.
The filly’s owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm said on Twitter the most important factor was for Songbird to get well.
“She developed a low grade fever after the SA Oaks and has not been able to go out to the track,” he said.
“With the fever not resolved, she was started on a course of antibiotics today, and as a result it’ll be another 7-10 days before she’s able to return to the track.
“We are sorry to have to miss the Oaks but what’s most important is to get Songbird well, and we have 2 great vets along with Jerry and his team taking good care of her.
“He said he was confident Songbird would return to full health after she completed a cycle of antibiotics.”
The Kentucky Oaks is run on May 6, the day before the Kentucky Derby.
