Lucas Street fits well in Seaway

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Even though Lucas Street has never won a stakes, she might be the most talented female sprinter based at Woodbine, and she should be tough in Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Seaway Stakes.

Lucas Street has won 4 of 7 starts since joining trainer Malcolm Pierce's string last winter. She was a commendable second to multiple graded stakes winner Sugar Swirl two races ago in the Scotzanna Stakes, and recently won a third-level optional claimer, earning an 89 Beyer Speed Figure.

"I guess she was always meant to be a nice filly," said Pierce. "She ran well for Dave Bell as a 2-year-old - she was stakes-placed. I think she got an injury, and they put her away and gave her plenty of time. I got her back, and we haven't looked back since then. She's a lovely filly to be around. She's done everything right."

Lucas Street had a troubled trip in her only lackluster effort this year, which came on turf in the June 15 Zadracarta Stakes, and was promoted from sixth to fifth by disqualification.

"I wouldn't rule out trying the turf again," said Pierce. "I think she handled the grass."

The seven-furlong Seaway has also lured My List, along with American shippers Akronism, Street Sounds, and That Girl Is Mine.

My List, a stretch-runner trained by Nick Gonzalez, captured two Grade 3 sprint stakes here in the spring, the Hendrie and the Whimsical. She was recently second going long in the Belle Mahone Stakes.

Akronism, trained Tim Ritchey, is no stranger to Woodbine, having won the Grade 3 Royal North Stakes on Aug. 2. She had a perfect stalking trip under Eurico Rosa Da Silva in that six-furlong turf sprint, and scored by 3 3/4 lengths, with a 96 Beyer.

Akronism has never competed on a synthetic track, but Da Silva is confident that she will take a shine to the Polytrack.

"I think she'll handle it pretty well," said Da Silva. "When I cantered her last time going to the grass, I liked her stride on the Poly. Her style is good for the Polytrack."

Da Silva said he believes Akronism won't mind the move to seven furlongs. "She's a very simple filly to ride," said Da Silva. "She runs very relaxed."

Street Sounds, trained by Michael Matz, has placed in four local stakes, most notably the 2007 Woodbine Oaks. She finished third behind My List in the May 11 Hendrie.