Flightline Back on Work Tab With San Carlos as Target

Undefeated Flightline  returned to the work tab with a four-furlong work Jan. 30 at Santa Anita Park and will be pointed to the seven-furlong San Carlos Stakes (G2) March 5 at the Southern California track. The 4-year-old Tapit   colt closed out last year with a win in the Dec. 26 Runhappy Malibu Stakes (G1) in only his third start.

"He went in :47 and four according to the (Santa Anita) clockers," trainer John Sadler said. "I had him in :48 and one on my watch, but more important is the way he went.

"He looked very comfortable and it was just a start on the road back. He'll return in the San Carlos, but the big goal is the Met Mile (G1, at Belmont Park June 11)."

Flightline had Sadler assistant Juan Leyva in the irons Sunday morning. He is owned by Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing.

Full behind the scenes with Flightline this morning, video by @NancyDollase https://t.co/tIkGiGwNMu

— West Point Tbred (@westpointtbred) January 30, 2022

"It's an exciting time for everyone involved with the horse. We're a month away from the Malibu and it's great to get him going again with the San Carlos as a target," West Point president and CEO Terry Finley commented. "I think John Sadler said it best: a horse like this gets you up and out of bed quickly every morning."

The Metropolitan Handicap could provide the stage for a matchup between Jan. 29 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Presented by 1/ST BET (G1) winner Life Is Good  and Flightline, who has won his three starts by a combined margin of 37 1/2 lengths.

Sadler commented about the potential for the colts to face off, saying, "It would be a terrific race, very exciting."