By Brian DiDonato
'TDN Rising Star' Flightline (Tapit), away since turning in one of the best debut performances of all time, a 13 1/4-length romp at Santa Anita Apr. 24 that earned him a 105 Beyer Speed Figure, showed that effort was far from a fluke Sunday as he demolished winners at Del Mar to remain unbeaten and completely untested.
Reportedly given ample time so as not to react from his freakish first outing before then coming up with a foot abscess, the $1-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grad had generated more buzz with his recent local works, and was off at 1-5 odds that in retrospect were free money. Away without incident from the outside, the bay pressed a :22.01 opening quarter and took over midway around the bend. He posted a :44.17 half with no ask, and soared to the wire with his head cocked slightly towards the stands, officially 12 3/4 lengths in front at the finish. Escape Route (Hard Spun), who earned a 91 Beyer himself last out, was best of the rest. The winner stopped the clock in 1:08.05.
Jane Lyon's Summer Wind purchased dam Feathered (Indian Charlie) for $2.35 million in foal to War Front at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. The 2015 GIII Edgewood S. winner, who was also a MGISP juvenile, is a granddaughter of MGISW Finder's Fee (Storm Cat). Her now 2-year-old Pioneerof the Nile colt sold for $100,000 at Fasig-Tipton October and was subsequently sent to Russia, where he too won on debut. Feathered has a yearling colt named Failsafe (Tapit) and a foal colt named Eagles Flight (Curlin). She visited Into Mischief this past season.
8th-Del Mar, $73,496, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($40,000), 9-5, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:08.05, ft, 12 3/4 lengths.
FLIGHTLINE (c, 3, Tapit–Feathered {GSW & MGISP, $577,474}, by Indian Charlie) Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $79,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Hronis Racing LLC, Summer Wind Equine LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm LLC & Woodford Racing, LLC; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-John W. Sadler. *$1,000,000 Ylg '19 FTSAUG.
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