Flightline Tunes Up For Breeders' Cup Classic with 5-Furlong Breeze in 1:00.60

Hronis Racing, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm and Woodford Racing’s undefeated Flightline completed his major preparations for next Saturday’s $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) by working 5 furlongs on his own in 1:00.60 after a first quarter-mile in :25.20. The work over the fast track was the fourth fastest of 62 at the distance.

With trainer John Sadler looking on from the Grandstand overlooking the finish line, Flightline emerged from the 7-furlong chute shortly after 7:30 a.m. ET following the first track renovation break and went right into his work under assistant trainer Juan Leyva.

“I told Juan to go in a minute and change and out (seven-eighths) in 1:26, and that’s what he did,” Sadler said. “Juan’s a great work rider. It was not about going fast today, just getting around there happy today.”

Saturday morning’s work for Flightline was his sixth since his 19¼-length tour de force in the TVG Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Sept. 3, which solidified his status as the overwhelming favorite for the Classic. Flightline arrived at Keeneland last Sunday from Sadler’s home base at Santa Anita, where he had his past five works.

“He’s had a good week and gotten settled in, and the track is a little similar to Del Mar,” Sadler said, noting that Flightline’s schedule for next week will include returning to the track to jog Monday, gallop Tuesday through Friday and not go to the track the morning of the Classic.

Undefeated in five starts, Flightline could give Sadler a second Breeders’ Cup Classic victory to go with the one that Accelerate provided at Churchill Downs in 2018.

“It would be great to win another one. I’ve got a top team behind me, and they have been with me a long time,” Sadler said. “He (Flightline) never has hidden his talent. He has always shown great ability from Day One.”
 

NOTE: Flightline workout footage can be found at this FTP site: http://breederscup.hammondcg.com/