Undefeated and unchallenged Flightline, a horse on everybody's radar, continued to prepare for his 4-year-old debut in Santa Anita's Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes March 5, working a half-mile at the Arcadia, Calif., track on Sunday in :47.80 under Juan Leyva.
Former jockey Leyva is assistant trainer to John Sadler, who conditions the undefeated son of Tapit, winner of the Grade 1 Runhappy Malibu Stakes by 11 ½ lengths on Dec. 26 and his three races to date by a combined margin of 37 ½ lengths.
“He went very well, looked super, as good as he's ever looked, going a half-mile in 47 and four and (galloping) out (five furlongs) in a minute flat, effortlessly,” Sadler said.
“We're right on track for the San Carlos (at seven furlongs, the same distance as the Malibu).”
As to Flightline's growing reputation, Sadler said, “I don't think it would be braggadocios to say he obviously is on everybody's radar in racing, because he looks like such an exceptional horse.”
As dominant as he is in his races, Sadler said the $1 million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase is a sweetheart under the shed row.
“He's nice around the barn,” Sadler said. “He can be tough on the race track, but around the barn he's very nice.”
