Pretty Birdie

Pretty Birdie, a Bird Song filly homebred by Marylou Whitney Stables, won her debut impressively at Churchill Downs on June 18, 2021, setting the pace and taking a five-furlong maiden by 3 ¾ lengths.

Shipped to Saratoga Race Course in New York by trainer Norm Casse, she made her second start on that historic track’s opening-day feature, the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes. Luis Saez sent the filly to the front right out of the gate, and she showed grit plus inexperience in the stretch as she held off a challenge from favorite Mainstay to win by two lengths despite not switching leads.

Pretty Birdie improved to 2-for-2 at the track where the late Marylou Whitney was a beloved figure. She is out of the winning Street Sense mare Bird Sense and is part of the Marylou Whitney Stable homebred family that includes Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone and champion filly Bird Town.