Flightline draws well in post 5 for Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – Flightline, who on Saturday will attempt to stretch his perfect record to 5 for 5 while negotiating two turns and 1 1/4 miles for the first time, was installed the prohibitive 1-5 favorite against five opponents when the field was drawn late Tuesday afternoon for the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

Flightline drew well in the six-horse field, landing post 5, with his primary rivals, Country Grammer and Royal Ship, inside of him.

Flightline has won all four of his starts by a combined margin of 43 1/2 lengths, most recently taking the Met Mile on June 11 at Belmont Park by six lengths. While he is the most naturally talented of the six in this lineup, the extra distance, and experienced 10-furlong horses like Country Grammer, Royal Ship, and Express Train, adds intrigue.

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Country Grammer won the Dubai World Cup at 1 1/4 miles earlier this year. Last year, he won the Hollywood Gold Cup, also at 1 1/4 miles, defeating Royal Ship by a head. Express Train won this year’s Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles.

The field, from the rail out, with riders and Jon White’s morning line, is Extra Hope, Tyler Baze, 30-1; Country Grammer, John Velazquez, 4-1; Royal Ship, Mike Smith, 8-1; Express Train, Victor Espinoza, 12-1; Flightline, Flavien Prat, 1-5; and Stilleto Boy, Juan Hernandez, 20-1.

This is the 32nd running of the Pacific Classic, the track’s signature race. John Sadler, who trains Flightline, has won it three times in the last four years. Bob Baffert, trainer of Country Grammer, has won it a record-equaling six times, and Richard Mandella, trainer of Royal Ship and Extra Hope, has won it four times.

The Pacific Classic is scheduled to be the 10th race on an 11-race card that begins at 1 p.m. Pacific.