o fourth, while Thorbjorn Olesens three-shot vict

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Mike Smith knew he was going fast early aboard Songbird in Saturdays Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama at Saratoga. Though he had the undefeated champion a few paths outside of pacesetter Go Maggie Go, they were in virtual lockstep through the first six furlongs of the 10-furlong race run in 1:11.13.I cant honestly tell you I wasnt concerned, Smith said.But every so often, Smith would look down at Songbird and could see - and feel - she had no concerns whatsoever despite the rapid early pace.Around the far turn, Songbird left Go Maggie Go behind and the rest was rather easy as Songbird cruised home a seven-length winner of the 136th Alabama before an announced crowd of 40,329 on a perfect summer afternoon.Songbird is perfection embodied as she ran her record to 10 for 10, this being her sixth Grade 1 victory.I never like to say its easy, but shes just got a lot of talent and makes it look easy, but its not easy, said Jerry Hollendorfer, the trainer of Songbird.What wasnt easy Saturday was the fact owner Rick Porter wasnt at Saratoga for the race. Instead, he is hospitalized in Delaware, making the victory even more meaningful to Hollendorfer and Smith.Mr. Porter is having a little bit of a hard time of it right now, but hes a real tough guy and we expect him to come through with flying colors, Hollendorfer said. It was our hope and wish that we could win for him today and we did.Smith said he had the chance to speak briefly to Porter on Friday.It was extremely important we win this and lift Mr. Porters spirits, Smith said. Hes fighting. Were hoping. Were praying.Songbird had a fight on her hands as Go Maggie Go, breaking from post 4 under Luis Saez, went to the front. Songbird, breaking from post 6, took Smith right with her through a quarter-mile in 23.76 seconds, a half in 47.77, and six furlongs in 1:11.13.Im a rider Im thinking a hundred different things, Smith said. Who is going to make the late charge? Have we done too much soon? But I look down at her about every five steps and shes just doing what she does. Every now and then shed throw an ear [up] so I knew she was comfortable. Me, in my head, Im trying to figure out whats going on behind me.Smiths biggest fear was that Weep No More would pull a reprise of what she did in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland in April when she came from out of the clouds to nail Rachels Valentina and Cathryn Sophia on the wire. But no one was coming.I was coaxing her with the whip just a little, I wasnt really hitting her, just stay the same, you dont have to go no faster, Smith said. Then I stood up and saw she was 10 in front.Going for Broke, making her stakes debut, rallied from sixth to get second by 1-3/4 lengths over Family Tree. Weep No More, Flora Dora, Go Maggie Go, and Dark Nile, who was eased, completed the order of finish.Songbird covered the 1-1/4 miles in 2:03.00, running the last quarter-mile in 26.99 seconds. She returned $2.40 as the favorite.She was tired, but theyre supposed to be going a mile and quarter with those early fractions, Smith said. Im not going to lie to you and say she came back skipping. I mean she was blowing but the sign of a champion is how shell recover in a couple of days.Songbird return to a loud ovation from the Saratoga faithful, some holding Songbird posters that the New York Racing Association gave away.Songbird is expected to ship back to Southern California on Tuesday. But, she is expected to return east for the Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 24. Arian Foster Jersey . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. Justin Reid Texans Jersey . 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The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country.Danny Willett missed out on the chance to move back top of the Race to Dubai standings after a disappointing week at the Turkish Airlines Open. The Masters champion needed a top-five finish in Antalya to reclaim top spot ahead of Henrik Stenson, but struggled to a four-over 75 on Sunday to end the week tied-68th. Live European Tour Golf November 10, 2016, 9:00am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Willett cut Stensons lead slightly to just over 252,000 points ahead of the pair both featuring at next weeks Nedbank Golf Challenge, with last years Race to Dubai winner Rory McIlroy more than a million points behind in third spot. A final-round 68 secured Tyrrell Hatton a ninth top-10 of the season and lifts him above British Masters champion Alex Noren in to fourth, while Thorbjorn Olesens three-shot victory sees the Dane leapfrog up to ninth place. Victory move Olesen up 29 places in the Race to Dubai standings A fifth top-10 in six starts moves Bernd Wiesberger up one place above Lee Westwood in to 11th, while Haotong Lis share of second takes him inside the top-20 in the standings.dddddddddddd. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Only the top 60 in the standings after next weeks contest in South Africa will be eligible to play in the season final in Dubai, with Australias Nathan Holman currently occupying 60th position. A look at the Race to Dubai standings with two events to go Watch the Nedbank Golf Challenge and the DP World Tour Championship live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf Also See: Turkish Airlines Open highlights Olesen secures Turkey title Final leaderboard Golf live on Sky Sports ' ' '