Flightline Effortless in Final Pacific Classic Drill

Numerous contenders for the Sept. 3 TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) breezed at Del Mar Aug. 27, led by Flightline, the top-rated dirt horse in the world. The brilliant, lightly raced colt, perfect in four starts and winner of the Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) June 11 at Belmont Park in his lone start of 2022, worked an effortless five furlongs in :59 3/5 under the gaze of trainer John Sadler. Assistant trainer Juan Leyva scarcely moved his hands down the stretch aboard the 4-year-old son Tapit, who continued to gallop out with enthusiasm while under light restraint. "It was just like we have been doing every week, trying to get away from the pole relaxed," Leyva said in a video interview that appeared on Twitter with Jeff Lifson of West Point Thoroughbreds, one of the colt's owners. "That's what he did today. He slowly picked it up, eighth by eighth. It's really what we wanted, just an easy work before the race, just enough to take the edge off, but not take anything out of the tank." The move followed two longer works at Del Mar this month, a six-furlong workout in 1:12 2/5 Aug. 13, followed by a seven-furlong drill in 1:24 Aug. 20. Flightline has kept a steady, weekly work schedule since resuming workouts July 9 after his six-length Met Mile triumph. Leyva said Saturday's work was less focused on speed than Flightline's final work before the Met Mile, a shorter race that followed a long break in racing action. The colt has earned $794,800 for owners Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing. Asked by Lifson if Leyva felt relieved to have the final work before the Pacific Classic out of the way, he replied and chuckled, "No. There's never relief with this horse. There never is." "I get a joy about getting on him every day," he added. "I love working with him, and I love the progression he's made this year. It's pretty amazing. I'm just blessed to be in his presence." Regular jockey Flavien Prat retains the mount in the Pacific Classic. Flightline will be a prohibitive favorite in the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic, which will mark his first start around two turns and running beyond a mile. The $1 million race provides an automatic, paid berth to its winner into the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland. Nine horses, all based in Southern California, were nominated to the Pacific Classic, some of whom could skip the race. Other nominated horses to work Saturday included Country Grammer (five furlongs in 1:00), Express Train (six furlongs in 1:12 4/5), Extra Hope (six furlongs in 1:12), Stilleto Boy (five furlongs in 1:00), and 3-year-old Taiba (six furlongs in 1:12). The latter is not expected to run in the Pacific Classic. An option for him is the Sept. 24 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing. Royal Ship (BRZ), likely to work in the coming days, is another probable Pacific Classic starter. Post positions for the Pacific Classic will be drawn Aug. 30.