Unbeaten Lightstream Takes Soaring Softly

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. 

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.