Flightline Gets Distance Test in Pacific Classic

Flightline 's morning-line odds of 1-5 against five graded stakes winners in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar match those of Cigar in 1996. But a more apt comparison might be to the higher-priced Candy Ride   in 2003.

Like Candy Ride, Flightline is a brilliant, undefeated talent. Both were lightly raced into the Pacific Classic, and, unlike Cigar, Candy Ride won.

Candy Ride went off as a 2-1 second choice to odds-on Medaglia d'Oro   in part because he brought less-familiar Argentine form to the race. The Ron McAnally train beat Medaglia d'Oro by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:59.11 for 1 1/4 miles, still the track and stakes record.

Then there's Flightline. His credentials make him perhaps the most exciting horse in training. He's 4-for-4, including the 2021 Runhappy Malibu Stakes (G1) and when he traveled to New York to devastate the competition by six lengths in the June 11 Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1), his lone start of 2022.

He has never raced beyond a mile, the distance of the Metropolitan Handicap, or around two turns.

His trainer, John Sadler, knows how to win the Pacific Classic. Three times in the past four years, horses in Sadler's barn entered the winner's circle: Accelerate   in 2018, Higher Power   in 2019, and Tripoli  in 2021. The Hronis Racing stable of Kosta, Stephanie, and Pete Hronis owned all three.

Well respected as a Thoroughbred racing trainer, Sadler originally hails from the show horse world and has a lifetime of experience with equine athletes. His team includes assistant Juan Leyva, a former Breeders' Cup-winning jockey who often rides Flightline in the mornings. 

Sadler often refers to himself as Flightline's caretaker who must harness the colt's speed.

"If you had a Lamborghini, would you be stepping on the gas pedal every day—no," said Sadler. "Most of my job is just keeping him relaxed."

Flightline impressed Sadler from the moment he saw him, not long after David Ingordo purchased the 4-year-old son of Tapit  —Feathered , by Indian Charlie , for $1 million as a yearling in 2019 at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Ingordo bought him for West Point Thoroughbreds and the ownership quickly expanded to include Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Woodford Racing, and breeder Summer Wind Equine.

Flavien Prat has ridden Flightline in each of his races and will be back aboard from post 5.

So far, the only thing that has defeated Flightline has been a fence when he was growing up before Sadler got him. The colt gashed a hip, slowing down his racing debut.

"Fence vs. horse—fence won," said Sadler.

None of Flightline's Pacific Classic rivals pose that kind of danger, but they are all formidable.

Country Grammer  has traveled farther than Flightline in search of victories. He has won stakes on both coasts—the 2020 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) and 2021 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1)—as well as in Dubai—the 2022 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1).

Bob Baffert trains Country Grammer, a 5-year-old son of Tonalist  —Arabian Song , by Forestry , for Commonwealth Thoroughbreds, Winstar Farm, and Zedan Racing Stables. 

Flightline and Country Grammer each worked five furlongs at Del Mar Aug. 27, Flightline in :59 3/5 (fifth fastest of the morning) and Country Grammer in 1:00 (13th fastest). Neither trainer was trying to push their charges hard.

"What we try to do is just maintain his rhythm, keep him in the same place he's been in," said Sadler. "We were thrilled. He did a minute effortlessly, and he's essentially ready."

Baffert liked what he saw from Country Grammer.

"He went nice for him," said the trainer. "He's not going to really light it up in the morning, but he runs in the afternoon."

Country Grammer, the second choice at 4-1 on the morning line, will be ridden by John Velazquez from post 2.

Prat won the Gold Cup on Country Grammer, and Frankie Dettori rode him in Dubai.

Royal Ship , Express Train , and Stilleto Boy  have won graded stakes on the Southern California circuit this year.

Royal Ship, to be ridden by Mike Smith from post 3 as the 8-1 third choice on the morning line, defeated Country Grammer and Stilleto Boy in the July 30 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. Unplaced in last year's Pacific Classic, Royal Ship, trained by Richard Mandella, won the 2021 Californian Stakes (G2) and this year's John Shear Mile Stakes.

Express Train (12-1, Victor Espinoza, post 4) won this year's Santa Anita Handicap Presented by Yaamava' Resort & Casino (G1) and San Pasqual Stakes (G2). Also unplaced in the 2021 Pacific Classic, he most recently finished second to Stilleto Boy in the April 30 Californian before bypassing the San Diego.

Stilleto Boy (20-1, Juan Hernandez, post 6) ran third to Flightline in the Malibu. He and Express Train have traded victories.

Extra Hope  (30-1, Tyler Baze, post 1) completes the field. His most recent victory came in the 2020 Native Diver Stakes (G3) at Del Mar.

The field is set for Saturday's @TVG Pacific Classic! pic.twitter.com/20xAeUiVud

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) August 30, 2022

Entries: TVG Pacific Classic S. (G1)

Del Mar, Saturday, September 03, 2022, Race 10

• Grade I
• 1 1/4m
• Dirt
• $1,000,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 5:50 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Extra Hope (KY)	Tyler Baze	124	Richard E. Mandella	30/1
2	2Country Grammer (KY)	John R. Velazquez	124	Bob Baffert	4/1
3	3Royal Ship (BRZ)	Mike E. Smith	124	Richard E. Mandella	8/1
4	4Express Train (KY)	Victor Espinoza	124	John A. Shirreffs	12/1
5	5Flightline (KY)	Flavien Prat	124	John W. Sadler	1/5
6	6Stilleto Boy (KY)	Juan J. Hernandez	124	Ed Moger, Jr.	20/1