Flightline impresses Sadler with debut victory

ARCADIA, Calif. - Very quickly on Saturday at Santa Anita, Flightline gave trainer John Sadler and Hronis Racing intriguing depth to their 3-year-old male division.

Flightline won his debut in a maiden special weight race at six furlongs, disputing the pace before pulling clear to win by 13 1/4 lengths in 1:08.75.

“He might have as much potential as any young horse I’ve ever trained,” Sadler said, walking out of the winner’s circle. “But you don’t want to get too hyped until you run them.”

This is from a trainer who starts top contender Rock Your World in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

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Rock Your World is co-owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis and Michael Talla. Flightline is co-owned by the Hronis brothers, with Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, and West Point Thoroughbreds.

Flightline earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure, the third highest rating of the year in races up to a mile through Saturday. Mischevious Alex earned a 109 Beyer Speed Figure in his win in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at seven furlongs at Aqueduct on April 3. Cezanne earned a 106 Beyer in his win in the Grade 3 Kona Gold Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on April 18.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Flightline ($3.80) bumped with a rival at the start, but recovered quickly. He led by 4 1/2 lengths with a quarter-mile remaining and cruised through the stretch. By Tapit, Flightline was purchased as a yearling for $1 million.

“He’s a monster,” Sadler said. “Sometimes, you get hyped on the price tag, but this horse happens to be the real deal.”

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Sadler said that Flightline was sidelined with an ankle issue as a 2-year-old, which postponed the colt’s arrival to his California stable until last December.

Flightline is out of Feathered, who won the Grade 3 Edgewood Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf at Churchill Downs in 2015 and was second in the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita that year.

Sadler did not state an immediate race goal for Flightline. If a stakes at Santa Anita is selected, one option could be the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes for 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs on May 15.