It didn’t take long for the racing world to ask trainer John Sadler what his plan for Flightline was after he convincingly won the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Park on December 26, 2021. As you would expect, Sadler said he wanted to see how Flightline came out of the race and then he would turn his attention to developing a plan. Flightline exited the Malibu Stakes in excellent shape and has had two very good workouts (January 30 and February 6) since the race. True to his word, Sadler has developed and shared the plan with Flightline’s ownership (Hronis Brothers, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing).
The plan includes both “what” and “how” aspects and provides flexibility if needed. The “what” has identified a target race in both the first and second half of the year. The “how” includes a path that provides Flightline the best opportunity possible to win the targeted races!
The first targeted race is the $1 Million, Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park (Elmont, New York) on June 11. The “Met Mile” is a very prestigious race with a rich history and will be one of eight Grade 1 races to be run as part of the New York Racing Association’s Belmont Festival Day. The race will allow Flightline to stretch out another furlong (1/8th of a mile) beyond what he has raced previously but not require him to race two turns at that point in the year.
To prepare for the Met Mile, Flightline will have his first race in 2022 in the $200,000 Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, CA) on March 6. The San Carlos Stakes is run at 7F (7/8th’s of a mile) which is the same distance as the Malibu Stakes Flightline previously won. John Sadler’s thinking is it’s his first race of the year at a distance and track we know he likes and sets him up for the progression to a mile in June.
The second targeted race is the $10 Million Breeders Cup Classic at Keeneland Racecourse on November 5 going a mile and a quarter. The Breeders Cup Classic is the pinnacle of the racing year and normally produces the Eclipse Award Winner for Horse of the Year. While preparing Flightline for a race in November seems like a long way off, it really isn’t. The timing between the Met Mile (June) and the Breeders Cup Classic (November) is approximately five months. In all likelihood that means one or two races that prepare Flightline to run a mile and a quarter around two turns.
Possible races between June and November would likely take Flightline to Saratoga Racetrack (Saratoga Springs, NY) or Del Mar Racetrack (Del Mar, CA). Whatever race or races are selected will have Flightline racing two turns and continue the distance progression to the Breeders Cup Classic.
While it’s important to have a plan, it’s only a plan and a lot can happen over the next nine months. Hopefully Flightline can stay the course and his ownership group can enjoy the ride!