FLIGHTLINE DOMINATES LONGINES BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC

Hronis Racing, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thorougbreds, Siena Farm and Woodford Racing’s undefeated Flightline ($2.88) sealed his place among racing’s legends with an 8 ¼-length victory in the 39th running of the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) for 3-year-olds and up Saturday afternoon at Keeneland.

Trained by John Sadler and ridden by Flavien Prat, Flightline completed the 1 1/4 miles on a fast track in 2:00.05. It is the second Classic victory for Sadler, who won with Accelerate in 2018 at Churchill Downs, and the first Classic for Prat, who was winning his fourth overall Breeders’ Cup race.

Life Is Good shot to the front out of the gate with Flightline taking up a stalking position to his outside through fractions of :22.55, :45.47 and 1:09.62 as the two opened up 10 lengths on the rest of the field.

Nearing the far turn, Prat took a look over his shoulder to see if anyone was closing in but there was nothing behind him but open space. Flightline was 3 lengths back on the turn but rapidly cut into the deficit and reached even terms at the top of the stretch.

Life Is Good had no response as Flightline roared on by and quickly opened up leaving the race for place that was earned by Olympiad, who finished a half-length in front of Taiba.

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike finished another 2 ½ lengths back in fourth and was followed in order by Life Is Good, Hot Rod Charlie and Happy Saver. Epicenter did not finish.

The victory was worth $3,120,000 and increased Flightline’s bankroll to $4,514,800 with six wins in six starts.

Flightline is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Tapit out of the Indian Charlie mare Feathered.

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