Flightline Soars Over Happy Saver in Met Mile
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
Flightline soars home in the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park
The long-delayed start of the 2022 season for Flightline proved worth the wait for his connections and fans as the undefeated son of Tapit overcame a slow start to post a six-length victory in the $1 million Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) June 11 at Belmont Park.
Starting for the first time since his spectacular victory in the Runhappy Malibu Stakes (G1) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park, Flightline delivered another eye-catching performance Saturday before a who's who of the racing industry that initially gathered in the paddock and then followed the field of five through the tunnel. They would not be disappointed.
After breaking a half-beat slow when lunging slightly from the gate and then having to twice be taken in hand and slightly steadied by jockey Flavien Prat when he began to advance inside behind Carter Handicap (G1) winner Speaker's Corner in the opening quarter-mile, Flightline settled into a tracking position.
Flightline breaks slowly under Flavien Prat at the start of the Metropolitan Handicap
After Speaker's Corner led through a quarter-mile in :22.78 and a half-mile in :45.01, Flightline was tipped out where he gained even terms three furlongs out before taking command near the five-sixteenths pole. From there it would be all flash as he built his lead through the stretch to win going away. Despite the slow start, Flightline completed the one-turn mile in 1:33.59 on the fast track.
Tracking in second through a half-mile was the deepest into a race Flightline had gone without seizing the lead, as he scored gate-to-wire in the Malibu and his maiden debut last April and tracked through a quarter-mile in an allowance level start in September at Santa Anita Park. The result would be the same—another overwhelming win.
"He didn't break well but soon after that he was traveling well—just an incredible horse," Prat said in a winner's circle where connections lingered to bask in the moment. "Once he was behind the other horse, he was comfortable."
Flightline cruises to victory
Flightline has won his four races by a combined 43 1/2 lengths.
"For a young horse who has not had that much seasoning, he just overcame the adversity and proved himself best," trainer John Sadler said. "He overcame trouble; that's the storyline."
The 2020 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) winner, Happy Saver , rallied for second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Speaker's Corner in third. 2021 Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Aloha West was fourth and longshot Informative was fifth.
Trainer Todd Pletcher said Happy Saver, a son of classic winner Super Saver , could be pointed to the Whitney Stakes (G1) Aug. 6 at Saratoga Race Course.
"I thought he ran super good," Pletcher said. "The winner is super good and I was proud of my horse for running second. We'll let the dust settle for now and think about maybe the Whitney at Saratoga but we'll play it by ear."
Jockey Junior Alvarado, who rode Speaker's Corner, said he was proud of his charge's efforts in earning black-type for the fifth consecutive race.
"I knew Flightline is always on the lead, but he's not that quick out of the gate. I tried to keep him right there for as long as I could," Alvarado said. "In the half-mile, he got out to the outside and after that, the race was over. He was putting pressure on my horse. I had to let my horse go from the half-mile pole. I just couldn't keep up with him.
"He's a good horse. I'm not ashamed of the race at all. We'll still be one of the favorites next time."
Flavien Prat enjoys the moment en route to the winner's circle aboard Flightline
The Met Mile win earns Flightline a fees-paid start in the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1T) this fall at Keeneland as the race is a "Win and You're In" qualifier.
Campaigned by Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing, Flightline has earned $794,800.
"It's really gratifying to get here after the hiccup we had with him," Sadler added. "We weren't rushed. We had plenty of time to train him for this. To his credit he's a very good trainer. He's such an athlete. Winning the Met Mile is so gratifying. It's such a historic race and a stallion-making race and he's all of those things. He's the whole package."
Sadler said he's considering a two-turn start down the road but as Flightline has had just one start this year, he'll take some time to think about his options.
Flightline and his connections savor the win
West Point Thoroughbreds went to $1 million to purchase Flightline at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale of Selected Yearlings, where he was consigned by Lane's End, agent.
Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Equine, Flightline is out of grade 1-placed graded stakes winner Feathered, by Indian Charlie. Feathered has produced three winners from as many starters. She has a 2-year-old full brother to Flightline named Olivier, a yearling Curlin colt named Eagles Flight, and a weanling filly by Into Mischief .