Streamline looking to bounce back in G1 Apple Blossom

Trainer Brian Williamson said Wednesday multiple Oaklawn Park stakes winner Streamline will make her next start Friday in the Grade

1 $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap for older fillies and mares

The 1 1/16-mile race will give Streamline an opportunity to bounce back from an uncharacteristically poor performance on March 17 in the Grade 2 $350,000 Azeri Stakes, the final major local prep for the Apple Blossom.

Streamline finished last of eight, just the second time in

22 lifetime starts she’s finished worse than third. Streamline had 10 previous starts in two-turn stakes races for older fillies and mares at Oaklawn.

The 6-year-old Illinois-bred daughter of Straight Line won the $100,000 Pippin Stakes in

2016, the Azeri in 2017 and the Grade 3 $150,000 Bayakoa Stakes on Feb. 17.

“I think we’re going to go ahead and take a shot,” said Williamson, who trains Streamline for mother-in-law Nancy Vanier and Cartwright Thoroughbreds V LLC. “The only time off the board running here was last time, so we’re going to give her a try. I know it looks like it’s going to be a pretty tough race.”

Streamline worked 5 furlongs in 1:03 Saturday morning. The sealed racing surface was rated muddy for workouts.

The field is expected to be headed by Southern California-based Unique Bella, the country’s champion female sprinter last year.

Streamline finished second to future Eclipse Award winner Forever Unbridled in the 2016 Apple Blossom and was third behind Eclipse Award winner Stellar Wind in last year’s race.

Trainer Brad Cox said Thursday Tiger Moth is under consideration for the Apple Blossom. Cox said he could also start Leofric in the Grade

2 $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap for older horses and High North and unbeaten Exclamation Point in the $150,000 Northern Spur Stakes for

3-year-olds. Both races are Saturday.

Sassy Sienna covered a half-mile in :49 Saturday morning for Cox in advance of Friday’s Grade 3 $400,000 Fantasy Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Cox also worked Tiger Moth a half-mile (:49) and unbeaten 3-year-old Exclamation Point a half-mile (:48 4-5) Saturday morning.

Post positions for the Apple Blossom will be drawn Tuesday. The race drew 20 nominations.