In keeping with a consistent seven-day Santa Anita work pattern dating back to Sept. 24, undefeated superstar Flightline will breeze six furlongs this Saturday and will then ship to Kentucky on Sunday for final preparations for the Grade 1, $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 5 at Keeneland. Although trainer John Sadler had considered going later in the morning for his final Santa Anita work, Flightline will again enter the Santa Anita main track via the quarter mile chute at approximately 6:30 a.m. Saturday with Sadler assistant Juan Leyva in the irons while accompanied by a stable pony.
A record breaking 19 ¼ lengths winner in his fifth career start of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar Sept. 3, Flightline, who has won his five starts by a combined 62 ¾ lengths, has been nothing short of dazzling in his four Breeders' Cup prep moves beginning with a half mile in 48 flat on Sept. 24. With Leyva aboard for all of his drills, Flightline graduated to five furlongs on Oct. 1, stopping the clock in 1:00.40.
On Oct. 8, Flightline breezed six furlongs in 1:12.40 and last Saturday, Oct. 15, he went the same distance in 1:11.80 and galloped out impressively seven furlongs in 1:24.80 and a mile in 1:38.60.
Providing all goes well, Flightline will have one timed workout over the Keeneland main track as he readies for his likely role as the Breeders' Cup Classic favorite.
A six-length winner of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park two starts back on June 11, Flightline demolished fellow sophomores in taking Santa Anita's Grade 1, seven furlong Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26 by 11 ½ lengths.
Odds-on in all of his races, Flightline, who is out of the Indian Charlie mare Feathered and was purchased for $1 million out of the 2019 Fasig-Tipton New York Select Yearling Sale, earned an astronomical 126 Beyer Speed Figure in the Pacific Classic. Easily the top speed figure in North America this year, the Pacific Classic was Flightline's first two-turn assignment.
Owned by California-based Hronis Racing, LLC, Siena Farm, LLC, Summer Wind Equine, LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing, LLC, Flightline has won his five races, the last three Grade I stakes, by a combined 62 ¾ lengths while amassing earnings of $1,394,800.
Although his connections have announced that Flightline will stand stud at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky following his racing career, it remains undecided as to whether or not he will continue racing as a 5-year-old in 2023.
The public is invited to watch Flightline breeze on Saturday as Clockers' Corner is open, free of charge, via Gate 8 off of Baldwin Ave. on the track's western perimeter. Clockers' Corner offers a full breakfast menu and there is ample seating available in the main Grandstand.
The post Classic Preparations: Undefeated Flightline Scheduled To Breeze At Santa Anita Saturday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
