Just like he did on his debut last out, TAPIT’s Flightline lit up social media on Sunday night with a dazzling display in a Del Mar Allowance Optional Claiming event.
Racing over six furlongs on the Del Mar dirt, the TDN Rising Star shadowed the leader early just to that one’s outside as the pair opened up lengths on the field.
Racing into the final 2 ½ furlongs, Flightline showed the talent he’d teased the racing industry with on debut as he effortlessly took command of the race. The only job Flavien Prat had in the final quarter mile was to stay out of his mount’s way as Flightline easily galloped home to a 12 3/4 length win in 1:08.05, just a few ticks off the 48-year-old track record.
Trained by John Sadler for breeder and co-owner Summer Wind Equine and co-owners Hronis Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, and Woodford Racing, Flightline continues to show why his connections paid $1 million for him at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale.
In all, the colt has won his two starts by a combined 26 lengths. His effort on Sunday earned him a 114 Beyer – the co-highest Beyer of the year – as well as a 117 Brisnet speed rating. Timeform US also rated him 135, just under Knicks Go’s top rating of 136.
Flightline is out of Grade 3 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed Feathered, who Summer Wind Equine purchased for $2.35 million in 2016. The mare’s three runners have all won at least one race, including this year’s 2-year-old. Feathered had another TAPIT colt named Failsafe last year.
Feathered is one of three winners from four to race out of the stakes-placed Receipt, who is a three-quarter sister to Grade 3-placed Lady Zulu. Feathered’s granddam is the multiple Grade 1 winner Finder’s Fee, who herself is out of Grade 1 winner Fantastic Find.
Flightline is one of nine winners from 11 to race for TAPIT out of Indian Charlie mares with the group led by stakes winner Goin To The Window and multiple stakes-placed Tapwater, who was third in a stakes last month.
Flightline (1/5) just ran 1:08.05 while being geared down in the final sixteenth. Might have come close to the 13 1/4 length winning margin of his debut win last April. Not sure the Tapit colt won’t be even better as a miler. Scary.
— Jeff Siegel (@jsiegelracing) September 6, 2021