When Flightline and Speaker’s Corner reached the top of the stretch in last Saturday’s $1,000,000 Grade 1 Hill ‘N Dale Metropolitan Handicap the stage was set. The race caller (John Imbriale) at Belmont Park brought the crowd of 50,000 to its feet when he said, “and now the race is on, it’s West Versus East! The only thing Imbriale didn’t realize was Flightline wanted nothing to do with a “match race”. In a dazzling performance, Flightline pulled away from Speaker’s Corner and the other runners to win by a geared down 6 lengths.
Any concerns going into the race about Flightline not having run beyond 7 furlongs (7/8th’s of a mile), outside of California or against Grade 1 Winners were quickly dismissed. Winning by 6 lengths after getting away from the gate slowly, checking twice during the race and never being “asked” by jockey Flavien Prat, showed how special Flightline is.
Most of the racing world had developed an appreciation for Flightline after he won his first three races by a combined 37 lengths. Those that suggested prior to the Met Mile there were questions to be answered were convinced at the conclusion of the race that Flightline is the real deal.
Flightline shipped back to his home base in California (Santa Anita Park) on Tuesday. His trainer, John Sadler will observe him for a few weeks and begin to think through options for his next race.
Bloodhorse article on Flightline race
Thoroughbred Daily News article on Flightline race
FLIGHTLINE Beyer – Paulick Report