As his horse glided down the stretch at Del Mar Saturday morning, trainer John Sadler was heard to exclaim “gorgeous” as the colt breezed by the grandstand. The ease with which Flightline gets over the ground provokes spontaneous responses like that.
Flightline put in his second-to-last work under overcast skies as he continues preparations for the TVG Pacific Classic (G1) on September 3. The undefeated son of Tapit went seven furlongs in 1:24 with splits of :12.20; :35.20; :47.40, and 1:11.40.
“I was very pleased,” Sadler said. “Very similar to last week. He's essentially already ready so we just wanted to maintain an even keel with him.”
Flightline was ridden by regular exercise rider and Sadler's assistant trainer Juan Leyva. He was the only horse to work at the distance on a busy morning of training at Del Mar.
“You could see he was going very nice,” Sadler said, “well within himself. He'll have a little soft work next week and then he's ready to go.”
Flightline's penultimate work caught the attention of a lot people. Among those on hand when the work went off at 6:30 a.m. (PT) were trainers Jerry Hollendorfer, Phil D'Amato, and Bob Baffert, who even got in a little ribbing, asking Sadler if he got any sleep last night.
Uunbeaten in four career starts, including the Metropolitan (G1) June 11 and 2021 Runhappy Malibu (G1), Flghtline is owned by the partnership of Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, breeder Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing. He is top-ranked horse pointing to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) November 5 at Keeneland.
Baffert plans to run Commonwealth Thoroughbreds, et al.'s Country Grammer against Flightline in the Pacific Classic. The Dubai World Cup winner also worked Saturday morning, going six furlongs in 1:12.00. Baffert also may run Juddmonte Farm's Laurel River and Pegram, Watson and Weitman's Defunded, who also put in a six-furlong work, stopping the clock at 1:11.
Trainer Ed Moger is pointing his brother Steve's Stilleto Boy to the Pacific Classic. He worked the son of Shackleford five furlongs in 1:00.40 Saturday.
Other possible challengers include Foxhill Farms and Sienna Farm's Royal Ship, winner of the San Diego (G2) last month; MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm's Tizamagician, runner-up last out in the Cougar II (G3), and Jay Em Ess Stable's Extra Hope, who worked five furlongs in 1:00.00 Saturday. All three reside in the Richard Mandella barn.
Trainer John Shirreffs has hinted that C R K Stable's Express Train may run in the Pacific Classic. The Santa Anita Handicap(G1) winner worked six furlongs in 1:12.40 Saturday morning, and Sadler may add the Cougar II winner Hronis Racing's Heywoods Beach to the mix.
Nominations for the Pacific Classic close Thursday, August 25.
The post ‘He’s Essentially Already Ready’: Sadler Keeps Flightline On Even Keel With Saturday Workout For Pacific Classic appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
