Streamline ready to defend title in Pippin Stakes

Streamline will defend her title in the $125,000 Pippin Stakes for older fillies and mares Jan. 14 at Oaklawn, trainer Brian Williamson said Thursday morning. Under Chris Landeros, Streamline worked 5 furlongs in 1:03.60 over a fast surface Thursday morning in preparation for the 1 1/16-mile race.

 

“Breezed well, very good,” Williamson said. “Pulled up good and we’re planning on running her in the Pippin.”

 

Streamline, a 5-year-old Illinois-bred daughter of Straight Line, was the only horse to compete in all four of Oaklawn’s two-turn stakes races for older fillies and mares last year. After winning the Pippin, Streamline finished second in the $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3), third in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) and second in the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) last April.

 

Streamline didn’t resurface until a Nov. 5 allowance/optional claiming sprint at Churchill Downs because of a minor physical issue, Williamson said. In her final start last year, she finished second in the $200,000 Falls City Handicap (G2) Nov. 24 at Churchill Downs.

 

Williamson said it would be “awesome” if Streamline could grab her first career graded stakes victory in 2017, particularly since he trains her for mother-in-law Nancy Vanier, who co-owns and bred the horse.

 

“We were pretty much set on running her this year,” Williamson said. “She’s been a pretty sound horse. She just had a little issue after the Apple Blossom. We knew she would be back.”

 

Streamline has a 6-3-4 record from 14 career starts and earnings of $364,066.

 

Williamson said the hope is Streamline will again contest Oaklawn’s series of two-turn stakes races for older fillies and mares, which continues with the $150,000 Bayakoa (G3) Feb. 18, $350,000 Azeri (G2) March 18 and $600,000 Apple Blossom (G1) April 14.