Flightline to begin workouts in early July for Pacific Classic
ARCADIA, Calif. - Flightline, the undefeated 4-year-old, is galloping on a daily basis at Santa Anita and will soon begin workouts in preparation for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Sept. 3, trainer John Sadler said Sunday.
The $1 million Pacific Classic, the top annual race at Del Mar, is run at 1 1/4 miles on dirt. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Nov. 5.
Sadler said Flightline will have his first workout of the summer in early July at Santa Anita before the stable relocates to Del Mar for the track’s summer meeting from July 22 to Sept. 11.
“He looks very happy,” Sadler said of Flightline. “I’ll want to work him once or twice before we leave here and train up to the Pacific Classic.”
Flightline stretched his unbeaten record to four races with a comfortable win by six lengths in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park on June 11. He overcame a sluggish start and traffic issues in the opening quarter-mile.
Flightline won the Met Mile in his first start since a victory in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Dec. 26. A minor hock injury prevented a stakes appearance in March.
Asked if Flightline could be ready for the longest race of his career in the Pacific Classic, Sadler was quick with an answer.
“Absolutely,” he said. “He’s a good-training horse. You can do what you want in the mornings.”
The Met Mile was Flightline’s longest race. He won two six-furlong races in 2021 – a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita in April and an allowance race at Del Mar last September. Flavien Prat has been aboard for all four wins.
“Flavien went out of his way in New York to tell me that distance is going to be his friend,” Sadler said. “He relaxes so well now.”
Flightline has earned $794,800 from his four wins for the partnership of Hronis Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine and Woodford Racing.
Flightline earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Dirt Mile at Keeneland on Nov. 5 with the win in the Met Mile.