Connecting Eager for the airline’s long-awaited return

Starting at the end of December, undefeated Flight route aired this week. Destination — New York.

The bright but gentle pony left his Southern California base on a cross-country flight and arrived Belmont Park June 7 for his long-awaited comeback in the Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) June 11, a $1 million race known as the Met Mile. The Met Mile will only mark his fourth start overall and his first race since he spooked observers in the Runhappy Malibu Stakes (G1) on December 26, a race at Santa Anita . Park he won 11 1/2 lengths.

Since then, it’s been a game awaited for his connection with his fans.

“It was frustrating,” coach John Sadler said of Flightline’s sideline time. “People say, ‘Why don’t you run him more? “We would give him more runs if we could.

What also reflects on him is his excellent form, even against Malibu. Before that, he won an optional allowance race and maiden race, also in Southern California, by a combined distance of 26 lengths. Those races, like his Malibu, were about to burn. He ran six trailers in 1:08.75 during his launch last April in Santa Anita, even faster on the same ride at Del Mar September 5 in 1:08.05, and then burned seven tongs in 1:21.37 while gliding to victory in Malibu.

He resumed his wind run on January 30 after the following race, pointing towards the March 5 San Carlos Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita, but was withdrawn from consideration for the seven-time run the following February. a physical failure.

“He rested a bit after training,” Sadler said. “We did all the diagnostics, all the things you do with a fancy horse, and it basically said, ‘You have to slow down a bit here,’ and that’s what we did and then put it back in. And knock on the wood — I’m sitting here at my desk (knocking) — everything is fine.”

He’s also looked pretty good for a few easy turns in the Belmont oval since arriving from California on Tuesday.

He’s been recording the winds on a weekly basis in California since April, job after job, showing that even without starting this year, he’s still at a high level of fitness. . Two-time jockey Flavien Prat traveled from his current base in New York to show off him at Santa Anita.

“He seems to be doing as well if not better than before so we expect a long run,” Prat said.

However, the Met Mile should challenge him more than any other race before that, coming on a new surface, after a long journey and up against a short but high-profile court at greater distances than he has ever been. Go.

“Here’s the thing – to him, he’s very special. You really wouldn’t try this with an ordinary horse, but he is no ordinary horse. He is a special horse. ,” said Sadler. “It’s not ideal, but given his abilities and what he can do, we think he’s the whole thing.”

Special has always been what Flightline seemed destined for. Via Tapit out of mare Charlie India won the graded bet Hairy he sold in 2019 for $1 million at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s top pick of the year sale in Saratoga Springs, NY

West Point Thoroughbreds signed his sale but the racing partnership isn’t alone in being attracted to the pony. According to Terry Finley, president and chief executive officer of West Point, within an hour other partners had joined ownership including Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine and Woodford Racing. Finley said Hronis Racing took the biggest prize.

Some owners are familiar with the foal, with Jane Lyon breeding its summer drafts, and Woodford Racing having a relationship with Lane’s End, who consigned Flightline for sale.

Anthony Manganaro’s Siena Ranch previously partnered with West Point as part of the owners team that caught the 2017 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brand (G1) with Always dreaming .

Besides Summer Wind and Lane’s End’s existing relationships with the pony, Finley said the other common denominator is agent David Ingordo, who works for multi-ownership partners, including West Point.

Finley commends Sadler for his first pony handling, and all the owners “row the boat in the same direction.”

“I feel like there’s a strong management with him so he’s at his best when he gets there because he’s that kind of horse,” Sadler said.

Flightline’s connections have also begun to think about his post-race career. Having secured a career in breeding stallions, Flightline has the potential to become an even more attractive prospect if he can win a race such as the Met Mile, considered by ranchers and breeders alike race to create stallions.

“I think it’s the premier race for old New York horses,” Finley said. “I think people around the world look at the Met Mile that way. The data, the Met Mile stats, it’s probably the best endorsement in racing. That’s what probably makes the mark. largest imprint in genetic resources in the stallion business, particularly in Kentucky.

It takes a variety of traits to win a one-turn, one-mile race — from speed, class, and determination.

Speaker corner Carter Handicap (G1) winner and winner of his previous six single-race races; Hello West , last year’s Qatar Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner; Happy Saver, 2020 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner (G1) in Belmont; and the winner of the long bet Lots of information . Preferred flight route with odds of 3-5 on morning flight.

Despite not claiming their first stake until the closing months of 2021, Aloha West and Flightline claimed the year-end title last year, coming in second and third, respectively, behind Jackie’s Warrior in the Eclipse Awards vote for the North American champion male sprinter.

Whether Aloha West and Flightline can effectively run for a mile will be answered on Saturday, hours before Belmont Bets are presented by NYRA Bets (G1). No sprinter has ever raced more than seven distances.

Sadler said, “When you see a horse going that fast, you say, ‘Will it go further? “But if you watch his races, you’ll say, ‘That horse doesn’t slow down at the rope.’ He’s just getting over it. I think he will get better the further he goes.

Finley is excited to see Flightline racing again. For months, he’s garnered pleasure watching videos of Flightline’s works, most of which come out weekly, including the half-mile rehearsal on June 5 at:46 4/5 at Santa Anita during his final Met Mile adjustment.

Saturday, racers can see if Flightline can be as special at 4 as it was at 3.

“Even people outside of our camp, they care about this horse. They see it as the star prospect it could become,” Finley said. “You pinch yourself, like why? Or how? Everything has fallen into place and we’re lucky enough to be a part of this pony because he’s a life changer. “