Barbara Livingston
The Jockey Club Gold Cup will be First Captain's third consecutive route race wearing blinkers. He should be able to stalk the pace or come with a late run.
Well, this is it. We get to see “the greatest horse to ever look through a bridle” step up to the classic distance, 1 1/4 miles. That’s the phrase trainer Bud Delp applied to Spectacular Bid, in the conversation for the distinction.
Racing pundits and tastemakers are far out over their skis with Flightline; he seems to already have entered the same conversation. The horse’s brilliance shines bright. He breezes like a monster. He won the Met Mile, shipping for the first time and overcoming trouble (though beating a main rival who had already gone over the top).