Lightstream looks to cap big season with victory in Raven Run Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lightstream sure has gotten a lot accomplished in a short period. On Saturday at Keeneland, she’ll be looking to end a highly efficient six-race campaign with another big effort in the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes.

Lightstream will have Julien Leparoux aboard when she breaks from the outside post in a very competitive field of 12 3-year-old fillies in the $250,000 Raven Run, a seven-furlong fixture that anchors a 10-race program.

“The outside’s not the worst spot to be,” said Brian Lynch, who trains Lightstream for Up Hill Stable and Head of Plains Partners. “There’s plenty of speed to the inside, and if everything goes to plan, it could set up a bit for us. Let’s hope so.”

Lightstream began her career at Gulfstream Park in early March with a maiden victory that earned an eye-popping 103 Beyer Speed Figure. The Kentucky-bred filly then proved it was no fluke, winning the Grade 3 Beaumont at Keeneland and an ungraded turf stakes at Belmont Park in her next two starts before running third in the July 2 Mother Goose and second in the Aug. 6 Test, both Grade 1 events.

In the 11 weeks since the Test, Lightstream has had seven workouts. Lynch said the long time between races was by design.

“It wasn’t that long ago she was just a maiden,” said Lynch. “She’s done everything we’ve asked of her this year. If she switches leads, maybe she wins the Test, but that’s neither here nor there.

“She always runs fresh, and we’re looking forward to Saturday. Win or lose, she’ll get 60 days off somewhere, and then we’ll take her to Palm Meadows and get ready for next year.”

As the Raven Run unfolds, Lightstream will have to catch Lucy N Ethel, an unbeaten filly making her first start in the care of trainer Tom Amoss. Lucy N Ethel (post 4, Corey Lanerie) won the Grade 2 Prioress on closing weekend at Saratoga to stay perfect in four starts.

“She’s impressed me with her mind and ability,” said Amoss.

Other contenders in this 18th running of the Raven Run include Southern Girl (post 5, Florent Geroux), a winner in four of her five starts; Bellamentary (post 6, Martin Garcia), a West Coast invader with three wins and three seconds from seven starts; Curlin’s Approval (post 8, Tyler Gaffalione), a Florida shipper with three wins from four starts; Covey Trace (post 1, Brian Hernandez Jr.) and Sophia’s Song (post 10, Robby Albarado), the first and third finishers in the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks; and the uncoupled Kiaran McLaughlin duo of Coniah (post 9, Joe Bravo) and Takrees (post 11, Ricardo Santana Jr.).

The Raven Run goes as the ninth race on a program that starts at the usual 1:05 p.m. Eastern. Three allowances surround the Raven Run in the late pick four (races 7-10). Post time for the feature is 5:30, with the last race set for 6:03.

The Raven Run, first run in 1999, is named for a 374-acre nature sanctuary near Lexington. The 2015 winner was Sarah Sis, owned by Joe Ragsdale.

After Thursday rain and Friday clouds, sunshine is back in the forecast for Saturday, with a high of 59. Another huge crowd is expected, as many fans will make a full day of it by attending the Mississippi State-Kentucky college football game Saturday night.

KEY CONTENDERS

Lightstream, by Harlan’s Holiday

Last 3 Beyers: 88-89-86

◗ Her tracking style seems made to order for how this race should set up.

◗ She returns off a tough beat to 55-1 shot Paola Queen in the Test.

Lucy N Ethel, by During

Last 3 Beyers: 95-83-89

◗ Her two prior trainers, Ramon Preciado and Chloe Bradley, both have encountered legal problems, which led to Amoss being hired.

Southern Girl, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 82-76-71

◗ Trained by Larry Jones, this gray filly has had two sharp local works since winning the Sept. 10 Shine Again at Laurel Park.

Bellamentary, by Bellamy Road

Last 3 Beyers: 80-88-83

◗ Trained by Phil D’Amato for Little Red Feather, she’ll be on a turnback from two-turn races at Santa Anita and Del Mar.

Curlin’s Approval, by Curlin

Last 3 Beyers: 92-89-74

◗ Trained by Marty Wolfson for owner-breeder Happy Alter, she has competed exclusively at Gulfstream Park.

Coniah, by Harlington

Last 3 Beyers: 87-86-88

◗ Both she and her McLaughlin stablemate Takrees come well drawn in outside posts following solid races in New York.