SANTA ANITA-BASED FLIGHTLINE JETS TO 8 ¼ LENGTH WIN IN GRADE I, $6 MILLION BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC TO REMAIN UNBEATEN IN SIX STARTS

THE RACING WORLD REMAINS HOPEFUL SON OF TAPIT WILL CONTINUE TO RACE AT AGE FIVE IN 2023

ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2022)—In a performance for the ages, trainer John Sadler’s Santa Anita-based Flightline powered to one of the most impressive wins in the 39-year history of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, as he won Saturday’s Grade I, $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland by 8 ¼ lengths while getting a mile and one quarter in 2:00.05 under regular rider Flavien Prat.

Now unbeaten in six starts, the last four in Grade I competition, Flightline’s highly anticipated plans for 2023, be it as a stallion or as a racehorse, will be announced very soon according to part-owner Kosta Hronis and trainer John Sadler.

With the overwhelming majority of the racing world hoping for a 5-year-old campaign, perhaps culminating with an appearance in the $6 million Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, 2023, Flightline’s status while remain the hottest topic in racing up until an announcement is made regarding his future.

“The partnership group will get together here in the next couple days and we’ll discuss it and see how we’re gonna move forward,” said Hronis from the Keeneland Winner’s Circle.

“He’s got that natural talent, he’s got that great stride. He’s got great speed, he’s a very, very special animal. I think the greatest I’ve ever seen…I was too young to see Secretariat but this is one special horse.”

Regarding the decision to race or retire to stud at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, KY, Hronis told FanDuel’s Scott Hazelton: “You know, if he was just a Hronis horse, it’d be an easy decision for me to make. But we’re in a partnership and as you know, the Hronis family is very respectful.

“So we’re going to respect the partnership…We’ll all get together and we’ll decide as a group—Even, across the board, just how we want to move forward and we’ll go with that. We always want what’s best for Flightline. The horse always is number one, so that’s gotta be the first thing in consideration.”

Sadler, who notched his second career Breeders’ Cup Classic win, following Hronis Racing’s victory with Accelerate in 2018, also indicated a decision regarding Flightline’s status could be determined perhaps as soon as Sunday.

“It won’t be a long process,” said Sadler. “In the next couple of days, we’ll have some announcements. Right now, we’re going to enjoy the moment. Tonight, I’m gonna have a few toddies…We’ll deal with (a decision) tomorrow morning. We didn’t want to really jinx it (by discussing Flightline’s future status prior to today’s race). The conversations will start tomorrow.”

By Tapit and out of the Indian Charlie mare Feathered, Flightline is owned by California-based Hronis Racing, LLC, Siena Farm, LLC, Summer Wind Equine, LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing, LLC. With today’s Classic winnings of $3,120,000, Flightline now has earnings of $4,514,800.

Here’s hoping the Hronis family gets it’s wish and the mighty Flightline further cements his status among racing’s all-time greats with a storybook campaign in 2023.

Photo: Eclipse Sportswire