Flightline scheduled to work at the end of January, race in March

ARCADIA, Calif. – Flightline, the undefeated colt who cruised to three easy wins last year, is in regular training at Santa Anita and will likely race in March.

Trainer John Sadler said Friday that Flightline is galloping on a daily basis and that a specific race goal has not been determined.

Flightline won his stakes debut in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs on Dec. 26.

“We’re right in the middle of planning stuff,” Sadler said. “He’ll probably be starting to work at the end of January. We’re looking at something in March.”

Some of the options that month for Flightline include the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes, a $200,000 race at seven furlongs on March 5 at Santa Anita, or the $500,000 Essex Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on March 19 at Oaklawn Park.

:: Join DRF Bets and play the races with a $250 First Deposit Bonus. Click to learn more.

Sadler has expressed an interest in trying Flightline in longer races in coming starts. The long-range goal for late spring is the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park in early June.

“He’ll run before that,” Sadler said.

Owned by the partnership of Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing, Flightline has won his three races by a combined 37 1/2 lengths and has earned $259,800.

Flightline won a maiden special weight race at six furlongs by 13 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita last April and an allowance race at six furlongs by 12 3/4 lengths at Del Mar in September. Flightline won the seven-furlong Malibu Stakes by 11 1/2 lengths in 1:21.37, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 118, the best of 2021.

Sadler said in late December that Flightline would be raced sparingly this year, and on Friday said that continues to be the plan.

“He’s put on some weight since his win,” Sadler said.

Astra Stakes on Monday

Santa Anita has a nine-race program Monday, highlighted by the Grade 3 Astra Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles.

The $125,000 Astra Stakes is the lone graded stakes this weekend at Santa Anita. Racing resumes next Friday for a three-day weekend that includes one stakes – the $70,000 Clockers’ Corner, a restricted race at six furlongs on turf Saturday.

There are six stakes, including four graded stakes, the weekend of Jan. 29-30.