Belmont Stakes 2017: Songbird returns to win Ogden Phipps and more undercard results

Two-time champion Songbird made a successful return to the track on Saturday, winning the Grade I stakes Ogden Phipps in advance of the running of the 2017 Belmont Stakes.

Songbird’s first race in over seven months ended with a single length victory with Paid Up Subscriber being her primary competition. Jockey Mike Smith rode Songbird confidently, though, and fighting off Paid Up Subscriber didn’t slow him or Songbird down one bit.

A final time of 1:42.24 was clocked for the 1 1/16-mile race. Highway Star took down Carina Mia down the stretch to take third place. For Songbird and her fans, this was a great race. She had won 11 of 11 starts before she lost to Beholder in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and this was her first race since then.

Abel Tasman, the winner of the Kentucky Oaks earlier in the year, found success in the Grade I Acorn Stakes on Saturday. The race has a total purse of $750,000 and ended in favor of Abel Tasman, a 2-1 favorite going into the race. The final time for the race was 1:35.37.

American Anthem also impressed in the Grade II Woody Stephens on Saturday, completely dominating the rest of the field in a brilliant finish.

Below are the full results of the graded stakes undercard races for Belmont Stakes Day on Saturday, updating as they happen.

Grade II Brooklyn Invitational: Winner: War Story (2. Sunny Ridge, 3. Tu Brutus)
Grade I Acorn: Winner: Abel Tasman (2. Salty, 3. Benner Island)
Grade I Ogden Phipps: Winner: Songbird (2. Paid Up Subscriber, 3. Highway Star)
Grade III Jaipur Invitational: Winner: Disco Partner (2. Green Mask, 3. Holding Gold)
Grade II Woody Stephens: Winner: American Anthem (2. Giuseppe The Great, 3. Recruiting Ready)
Grade I Just A Game: Winner: Antonoe (2. Sassy Little Lila, 3. Dickinson)
Grade I Mohegan Sun Metropolitan: Winner: Mor Spirit (2. Sharp Azteca, 3. Tommy Macho)
Grade I Woodford Reserve Manhattan: Winner: Ascend (2. Time Test, 3. World Approval)