Streamline has strong ties to Vanier family

The late horseman Harvey Vanier had a direct influence on the result of the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri last Saturday at Oaklawn Park. Streamline, who won the race, represents the best of the Illinois-based breeding and racing program Vanier operated with his wife, Nancy.

The couple purchased and raced Streamline’s sire, the multiple Grade 3 winner Straight Line, and are behind her female family, including her stakes-winning dam, Love Handles. The Azeri marked the first graded stakes victory for Streamline, and it not only raised the profile of her family but also represented the most significant career victory for her trainer, the Vaniers’ son-in-law, Brian Williamson.

“It was just an awesome day,” Williamson said. “We’re very happy for Streamline because she’s such a hard tryer, always knocking on the door.”

Williamson trained the Vanier-bred Love Handles and traded training duties with Harvey Vanier on Straight Line, who won 10 races from 26 starts and earned $489,026. Straight Line also raced for Cartwright Thoroughbreds, which is a partner in Streamline.

“We bought Straight Line at the sale and raced him,” Williamson said. “He won a couple of stakes when Harvey had him, and when I took over, I won a stakes or two also. The mare, we had. She was fifth generation. Streamline is sixth generation [for the Vaniers].”

Streamline returned to the track Wednesday at Oaklawn and is a candidate for the track’s Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on April 15, said Williamson. She ran second in last year’s race following a third-place finish in the Azeri.

“She galloped today and went super,” Williamson said. “We’re here, and she likes the track.”

Streamline is a 5-year-old who debuted with a win in a maiden special weight race for Illinois-breds on July 4, 2015, at Arlington Park. She has won seven races from 17 starts and earned $601,556. Streamline has won on synthetic, turf, and dirt, and in sprints and routes, and has never been worse than fourth.

“She’s quiet, just real relaxed, but then when she has to train, she’s all business,” said Williamson.

Williamson was still savoring Streamline’s win Wednesday.

“It has to go right on top,” Williamson said. “I’ve had some other nice victories. To race both the sire and the mother, it’s a good feeling. That was a really fun day.”

Williamson, 56, launched his training career in 2002.

Eskenformoney, who finished second by a length in the Azeri, will be considered for the Apple Blossom, said trainer Todd Pletcher. She returned to her south Florida base on Sunday.

“We’ll see how she bounces out of [the Azeri],” Pletcher said. “I don’t know if we’ll go back to the Apple Blossom, but it will be under consideration.”

Terra Promessa, who finished fifth as the favorite in the Azeri, emerged from the race in good physical condition, and her plans are to be determined, said trainer Steve Asmussen.