John Sadler Trainee Has Won His Five Starts by a Combined 62 ¾ Lengths
ARCADIA, Calif.— Flightline, the undefeated tour d’ force who has elicited comparisons to some of racing’s all-time great champions, will have his first work in preparation for the Grade I, $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic this Saturday at Santa Anita.
A sensational 19 ¼ length winner of the Pacific Classic Sept. 3 at Del Mar, Flightline has taken his five starts by a combined 62 ¾ lengths and registered an astronomical 126 Beyer Speed Figure at Del Mar, is scheduled to breeze a half mile under Juan Leyva Saturday at 6:30 a.m. according to trainer John Sadler.
With the Breeders’ Cup Classic looming on Nov. 5 at Keeneland, Flightline, a $1 million yearling purchase by Tapit, will likely have five local works before departing for Lexington several days in advance of the Classic.
A six-length winner of the Grade I Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park June 11, a race in which regular rider Flavien Prat had to negotiate his way through significant early trouble, Flightline will be making his third start of the year and possibly his final career start, in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Owned by California-based Hronis Racing, LLC, Siena Farm, LLC, Summer Wind Equine, LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing, LLC, Flightline has run twice at The Great Race Place, most recently in the Grade I Runhappy Malibu Stakes this past Dec. 26.
Odds-on in all of his races, Flightline, who is out of the Indian Charlie mare Feathered, took the seven furlong Malibu by 11 ½ lengths at 2-5.
A 12 ¾ length allowance winner going six furlongs at Del Mar on Sept. 5, 2021, Flightline was a devastating first-out maiden winner at Santa Anita four months previous on April 24, winning by 13 ¼ lengths while getting six furlongs in 1:08.60.
Santa Anita’s 18-day Autumn will open on Friday, Sept. 30, with first post time at 1 p.m.
First post time for Breeders’ Cup Challenge weekend on Oct. 1 & 2 will be at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 and at 1 p.m. on Oct. 2. The weekend will feature a total of 10 stakes, including the Grade I, $300,000 Awesome Again on Oct. 1, which will provide the winner with a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
For additional information regarding Santa Anita’s upcoming Autumn Meet, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
Santa Anita Park Press Release
Photo: Flightline wins the Pacific Classic (Benoit Photo)
