Flightline works sharp five furlongs at Del Mar
DEL MAR, Calif. – Looks were slightly deceptive during Flightline’s five-furlong workout Saturday at Del Mar.
Shortly after 6:30 a.m., Flightline was guided by exercise rider Juan Leyva down the backstretch where he began a five-furlong workout at the half-mile pole. It seemed as if Flightline was merely galloping through the opening furlong, but was timed in that segment of the exercise in 12.80 seconds.
Working alone, Flightline increased the tempo through the stretch and finished in a sharp 59.40. Trainer John Sadler timed Flightline in a slightly slower 59.80, with a seven-furlong gallop out in 1:26.
Saturday’s workout was the first for Flightline at Del Mar this summer and part of the buildup to his debut at 1 1/4 miles in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Sept. 3. The $1 million Pacific Classic is Del Mar’s leading annual race for older horses.
Flightline, 4, is unbeaten in four starts, including a comprehensive win by six lengths in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap on June 11 at Belmont Park, his lone start this year. In his stakes debut last December, Flightline won the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs by 11 1/2 lengths.
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The Pacific Classic will be Flightline’s longest race, with workouts this summer designed to ensure he can handle the longer trip.
“We’re stretching out,” Sadler said. “The training is all designed to get him relaxed. We want him to shut off for the first part of the race.”
Flightline has had three workouts this month, including two half-mile workouts on July 9 and July 16 at Santa Anita.
“He’s always been a good work horse, and we’re ahead of schedule,” Sadler said.
Purchased for $1 million at Saratoga as a yearling, Flightline has earned $794,800 in his four-race career for the partnership of Hronis Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, and Woodford Racing.
Flightline earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Dirt Mile on Nov. 5 at Keeneland with the win in the Met Mile. The winner of the Pacific Classic receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic on Nov. 5 at Keeneland.
Sadler and Hronis Racing won the 2021 Pacific Classic with Tripoli, who is scheduled to start in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 30 at Del Mar. On Saturday, Tripoli worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 a few minutes after Flightline completed his exercise.
Tripoli was a troubled fourth in his first start of 2022 in the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf on June 19 at Santa Anita.
The $300,000 San Diego is a key prep for the Pacific Classic and should have a dazzling field.
Country Grammer, winner of the $12 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 26, will have his first start of the year in the United States in the San Diego. John Velazquez will ride Country Grammer, trainer Bob Baffert said Saturday.
Mandaloun, fourth in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster Stakes on July 2 at Churchill Downs, will have his California debut in the San Diego and will be ridden by his regular rider, Florent Geroux.
Earlier this year, Mandaloun was promoted to first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby after Medina Spirit was disqualified for a medication violation. Mandaloun won the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds in January, but was ninth in the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia in February.
Other probable starters for the San Diego are There Goes Harvard, Defunded, Royal Ship, and Stilleto Boy, the first four finishers of the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup on May 30 at Santa Anita; Express Train, who won the Santa Anita Handicap in March; and Parnelli, who won an allowance race on June 11 at Santa Anita.
On Saturday, Stilleto Boy worked five furlongs in 1:00. Jockey Juan Hernandez will ride Stilleto Boy. Hernandez was the leading rider at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting that ended last month. On Friday’s opening day at Del Mar, Hernandez led all riders with three wins.