Flightline was racing’s worst-kept secret when he made his debut on April 24 at Santa Anita.
The precocious $1 million son of Tapit – Feathered by Indian Charlie was favored at 9-10 and won the six-furlong sprint by 13 1/4 lengths. His salient supporters pressed their luck at 20 cents to the dollar next out, an optional claiming race also at six furlongs, this at Del Mar Sept. 5
He won by 12 3/4 lengths.
Next up: the prestigious Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita on opening day Sunday, Dcember 26. The card of racing has a litany of graded stakes races for fans to enjoy the day after Christmas. HOT ROD CHARLIE takes part in the Grade 2 San Antonio and also of interest is the debut of Q B ONE, the first foal of champion Beholder.
Toward that goal, Flightline worked five furlongs at 6:30 Sunday morning in 1:00.20 under regular rider Flavien Prat.
“He went real well in a minute flat and galloped out (seven furlongs) in (one) 25,” said trainer John Sadler. “He just cruised around there in his last work before the race.
“I’m feeling very good about his chances,” added Sadler, who conditions the bay colt for owners Hronis Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds. “We’re hoping it’s Christmas on the 26th.
“He’s trained up to the race super; we’ve had our eye on the Malibu for a couple of months. It’s the right conditions, three-year-olds, a Grade I at seven-eighths which we think is going to be a good distance for him.
“It will be his first time against better horses but we’re excited about the challenge.”
On paper, the obvious competition would appear to come from Dr. Schivel, winner of five straight races including two Grade 1s before suffering an excruciating nose defeat in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar Nov. 6.
Post time for the Malibu, race 10, is 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
Sunday, Santa Anita #10, post time: 6:30 p.m. EST
RUNHAPPY MALIBU S.-GI, $300,000, 3yo, 7f
PP HORSE SIRE OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1. Baby Yoda Prospective Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable, Barber, G & Zaro, Jerold L. Mott Ortiz 120
2. Timeless Bounty Elusive Hour Willow’s Green Stables, LLC Hess, Jr. Rispoli 120
3. Stilleto Boy Shackleford Steve Moger Moger, Jr. Desormeaux 120
4. Dr. Schivel K Violence Red Baron’s Barn LLC, Rancho Temescal LLC, Glatt Hernandez 124
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Branch, William A.
5. Flightline Tapit Hronis Racing, West Point Tbrds, Summer Wind Equine, Sadler Prat 120
Siena Farm LLC or Woodford Racing, LLC
6. Team Merchants Nyquist Reddam Racing LLC O’Neill Gutierrez 120
7. Triple Tap Tapit Summer Wind Equine LLC Baffert Velazquez 120
Breeders: 1-Kathleen Amaya, Alexandro Centofanti &Raffaele Centofanti, 2-Elkhorn Oaks Inc., 3-John Kerber & Iveta Kerber, 4-William A. Branch & Arnold R. Hill, 5-Summer Wind Equine, 6-Reddam Racing LLC, 7-Summer Wind Equine
More from Canadian Thoroughbred:
