A first try on turf proved no problem for undefeated Lightstream as she rallied to victory in the $100,000 Soaring Softly Stakes May 21 at Belmont Park. Video: Soaring Softly S.
Up Hill Stable and Head of Plains Partners' Lightstream picked up her third straight win to start her career and second straight stakes win in Saturday's seven-furlong turf race, which marked the daughter of Harlan's Holiday's first turf try.
Lightstream entered off a three-quarter-length victory going about seven furlongs in the Adena Springs Beaumont Stakes (gr. III) April 17 at Keeneland. That effort followed a clear victory in her career debut March 6 in a seven-furlong maiden race at Gulfstream Park.
Trained by Brian Lynch, Lightstream completed Saturday's race in 1:20.54 on the firm turf under Eric Cancel. She was followed home by Summer Reading and Welcoming. Favored Lightstream returned $5, $3.60, and $2.40 across the board. Summer Reading paid $5.70 and $3.60 to place and show while Welcoming returned $2.60 to show.
"I knew she likes to ride comfortable at the beginning and when the jockey starts asking her at the three-eighths mark, she always responds, so I tried to use the same technique that worked before and it worked out really good," Cancel said. "She liked the turf. She has a lot of ability; I didn't think it would bother her too much. She did it good and quick and it gave us the victory"
Lynch said the turf victory opens up more possibilities.
"It's a great option to have," Lynch said. "Hopefully, she qualified herself to get an invitation to that [grade I Belmont Oaks] and it's certainly on the radar. I'll have to consult with my owner and, obviously, at this stage, she's eligible for a lot of conditions and we'll just take a deep breath and go from there with her."
Bred in Kentucky by Ann Marie Farm, Lightstream is out of stakes-winning Arch mare North Beach, who has produced four winners from as many starters.
