Gritty Lightstream Takes Beaumont Stakes

Lightstream lived up to the expectations of her connections and of the 20,000 people who made her the 7-5 favorite in the $150,000 Adena Springs Beaumont Stakes (gr. III) April 17 at Keeneland.

The 3-year-old Harlan’s Holiday filly making her second career start provided a thrilling finish to the about seven-furlong feature, challenging the only graded stakes winner in the race, Nickname, in deep stretch and gutting out a three-quarter-length victory in 1:26.27.

Lightstream is co-owned by Leonard Zenith and Irma Desrochers’ Up Hill Stable and Sol Kumin’s Head of Plains Partners. She was bred in Kentucky by Ann Marie Farm.

“Coming out of the turn, it didn’t seem like she was going anywhere,” said trainer Brian Lynch. “Once she dropped her head, I knew there would be a dogfight. Fortunately she was gritty enough to get past that filly; that is what separates the good ones.”

Lightsteam was ridden by Julien Leparoux, who celebrated his 51st stakes victory following the Beaumont.

“They went pretty quick up front, but she was traveling very good. I saw the opening on the rail, so I just went for I,” Leparoux said. “She finished nice. That was a pretty good bunch, even if there was only a five-horse field.”

Lynch said his long-term goal for Lightstream is the June 11 grade I Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park.

“How we get there is unknown, but there will be a race in between. We just need to let the dust settle,” Lynch said.

Lightstream came into the Beaumont off a 2 1/4-length win in a $50,000 maiden special weight March 6 at Gulfstream Park.

The winner paid $4.60, $2.80, and $2.10. Second-placed Nickname paid $3.40 and $2.10. Kinsely Kisses was third and paid $2.20. The $2 exacta paid $15.40, while the $2 trifecta paid $34. The final order of finish was R Girls a Charmer and American Doll.