Flightline, Country Grammer put in strong drills for Pacific Classic
DEL MAR, Calif. – Flightline was the first horse to work after the initial renovation break on Saturday at Del Mar, and two of his primary challengers in the Pacific Classic drilled moments later during a hectic, exciting start to the day here.
Flightline was brilliant as usual. Going solo under Juan Leyva, trainer John Sadler’s top assistant, Flightline was credited by clockers with a seven-furlong drill in 1:24, going from the five-furlong pole out to the six-furlong pole, and including a 24-second split from the quarter pole to the wire. He continued galloping out strongly.
“You don’t want to know” Sadler said, smiling like the cat that ate the canary, when asked what he got for a gallop-out time.
Sadler said the work was “similar to last week,” and it was in almost every way, including how strongly Flightline went out when his work was supposed to be over.
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“He was well within himself,” said Sadler, who said Flightline would have a shorter, easier work next Saturday in his final drill for the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Sept. 3. That 1 1/4-mile race will mark Flightline’s first race around two turns and beyond a mile. His last start was the Met Mile in June at Belmont Park, in which he ran his record to 4 for 4.
Flightline’s main rival in the Pacific Classic figures to be Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer, who worked in company only moments after Flightline. He was given a six-furlong time of 1:12, but trainer Bob Baffert had him going seven furlongs in 1:25.40, with a one-mile gallop-out of 1:39.60. His top exercise rider, Juan Ochoa, was up.
“He went nice, like he always does,” Baffert said. “He’s steady. He’s a stayer.”
Country Grammer most recently was second to Pacific Classic prospect Royal Ship in the San Diego, which is run at 1 1/16 miles, short of optimum for Country Grammer.
Stilleto Boy, who was third in the San Diego, worked right after Country Grammer completed his drill and was timed in 1:00.40 for five furlongs for trainer Ed Moger Jr.