Flightline sidelined for indefinite period, Sadler says
ARCADIA, Calif. – Flightline, the brilliant and undefeated Grade 1 winner who won his first three starts by a combined margin of more than 37 lengths, will be sidelined for an undetermined period of time, trainer John Sadler said Saturday afternoon.
Sadler said Flightline’s gait this week was “not perfectly normal,” adding that it was a hind leg.” Sadler said X-rays were negative; the preliminary diagnosis is he strained his right hock.
Flightline, who won the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes by more than 11 lengths in his most recent start on Dec. 26, was scheduled to work Sunday morning at Santa Anita in preparation for the Grade 2 San Carlos on March 5. The workout has been cancelled; Sadler said Flightline is out of consideration for the San Carlos.
Sadler said there is “no real timetable” for how long Flightline will be sidelined, and said optimistically “we’re not talking about a big thing. But when a horse like him doesn’t work (Sunday), people want to know.”
Flightline, who earned a 118 Beyer winning the Malibu last out, is a 4-year-old colt by Tapit and the most exciting horse in California and is considered one of the top horses in training in North America. He earned Beyers of 105 and 114 defeating maidens and allowance rivals last year.
Owned by a partnership that includes Hronis Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Summer Wind Equine, and Siena Farm, Flightline was purchased for $1 million at a 2019 yearling sale. Plans call for Flightline to remain at Santa Anita pending further diagnosis.