LEXINGTON, Ky. — From the first time John Sadler laid eyes on Flightline, he saw the potential for something truly special.
“I drove out to Lane’s End and looked at him and saw what a great looking horse he was,” the California-based trainer said this week at Keeneland. “He’s just one of those prospects you want to have in the barn and then hopefully they step up.”
Flightline has stepped up to a whole other level. The undefeated 4-year-old has won his five career races by an astounding 62 3/4 lengths. Fresh off a jaw-dropping 19 1/4-length win in the Pacific Classic, the son of Tapit is the 3-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s 5:40 p.m. $6 million Breeder’s Cup Classic at Keeneland.
The anticipation has placed the spotlight on the 66-year-old Sadler, who until Accelerate’s victory in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic was 0-41 in the Breeders’ Cup races.
“We won one of these a few years ago at Churchill and it’d be great to win another one,” said the trainer who has over 2,700 victories and $141 million in earnings to his credit over a 44-year career.
Many have compared Flightline to 2015 Classic winner American Pharoah, even Secretariat. Breeder and co-owner Jane Lyon said she was approached at a sale by world famous trainer Aidan O’Brien, who gushed about Flightline’s magnificence.
“It’s funny, we all compete against each other every day but we’re together all the time, unlike say pro football teams where they compete against you but they’re in different cities,” said Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds, which purchased Flightline as a yearling for $1 million and is part of an ownership group that includes Lyon’s Summer Wind Equine, Hronis Racing, Siena Farm and Woodford Racing. “To see people that I respect, to see the way they look at this horse and hear their comments, that’s very gratifying.”
“He’s never hid his talent,” Sadler said. “Nobody who’s been around him has been surprised by how good he is. He’s always shown great ability from day one.”
Yet Flightline did not make his official debut until April 24, 2021. At age 2, he backed into a stall latch, slicing his right hindquarters. Stitches were administered, leaving a zig-zag scar that’s still visible. Then a stained hock held him back a bit.
Knowing his unusual ability, how did Sadler resist pushing the horse?
“Because I know better,” the trainer said. “There’s all the old sayings about if you take care of the horse, he’ll take care of you. I just know with horses, they’re individuals and they all come at their own rate and their own pace. He’s shown so much ability you weren’t going to do anything other than what you thought was 100 percent.”
Still, Sadler’s experience has shown in his handling of such a valuable commodity.
“Every horse is different and he had the hip injury as a 2-year-old and was later getting to the races,” he said. “It’s just been his path. It wasn’t that I was particularly patient. We let the horse lead us. We’ve tried to be good stewards of him because he’s shown such talent.”
He also credits his team of grooms and handlers, especially assistant trainer Juan Leyva, whom he says will succeed him when he retires.
“Juan Leyva has a special bond with this horse,” Jane Lyon said. “He truly does.”
If Sadler is feeling the pressure before Saturday, he doesn’t show it. After all, he’s been around the block before. Born in Long Beach, he attended the University of Oregon before becoming a veterinary assistant for Dr. Jack Robbins, whom Sadler says has had the biggest influence on his career.
“First of all, I respect every horse in the race. It’s a top-class field of horses,” said the trainer. “Really good horses. You have the ascending 3-year-olds. You have the older horses who are really good horses. It’s a very good field. We don’t take anything for granted. We don’t take any of our competition for granted.”
Still, Sadler says Flightline is healthy and happy as race fans anxiously await what Flightline does next.
“It’s a day-by-day-by-day until you get to the big day,” said the trainer.
Saturday will be Flightline’s and Sadler’s biggest day yet.
