• FLIGHTLINE BREEZES FOR RETURN IN SAN CARLOS

• O’NEILL HAS HAPPY JACK READY ROBERT B. LEWIS

• ‘PERFECT’ RIDE GETS CHIRINOS FIRST GRADED WIN

 

SAN CARLOS, MET MILE AWAIT FLIGHTLINE

Undefeated and unchallenged Flightline worked four furlongs at 6:30 this morning under Juan Leyva as he prepares for his four-year-old debut in Santa Anita’s Grade II San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs on March 5.

“He went in 47 and four (47.80) according to the (Santa Anita) clockers,” trainer John Sadler said. “I had him in 48 and one on my watch, but more important is the way he went.

“He looked very comfortable and it was just a start on the road back. He’ll return in the San Carlos, but the big goal is the Met Mile (at Belmont Park on June 11).”

Flightline, a $1 million son of Tapit, won the Grade I Runhappy Malibu States by 11 ½ lengths last Dec. 26. He has captured his three starts by a combined margin of 37 ½ lengths and now a potential Race of the Century looms should he face Life Is Good in the Met Mile.

Life Is Good was an easy winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and dominating winner over Horse of the Year favorite Knicks Go in yesterday’s Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park.

Sadler was asked about a possible meeting of the two in the Met Mile. “It would be a terrific race,” he said, “very exciting.”

Stay tuned.

 

HAPPY JACK HAS DESIGNS ON LEWIS STAKES

Doug O’Neill has but two horses nominated to next Sunday’s Grade III Robert B. Lewis Stakes, while Bob Baffert has more than half, 11 of the 20, but O’Neill is considering debut winner Happy Jack for the 1 1/16-mile race for three-year-olds, which he won in 2007 with Great Hunter and in 2012 with eventual Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another.

“The plan is to run him if he gives us the go sign,” said O’Neill, who is considering an out-of-town stakes for his other Lewis nominee, Los Alamitos Futurity winner Slow Down Andy.

A son of Oxbow, who sired Hot Rod Charlie, Happy Jack was indeed a surprise winning first out at six furlongs on Jan. 22 for owner/breeder Calumet Farm, coming from behind at 24-1 to score by a length and a quarter under Abel Cedillo, who would ride back in the Lewis.

Cedillo won three races yesterday, including the Palos Verdes Stakes on a determined Essential Wager for Bob Baffert.

 

CANOODLING GETS ‘PERFECT’ RIDE IN MEGAHERTZ

Canoodling led her rivals on a merry chase in Saturday’s Grade III Megahertz Stakes at a mile on turf, giving 38-year-old Venezuela native Roimes Chirinos his first graded stakes victory and rewarding her backers with a $47.40 win mutuel.

“Unbelievable,” said Chirinos after the victory. “She’s a little filly with a big heart. When I saw those (slow) fractions, I knew we had a big chance.”

Chirinos has been a mainstay at Sunland Park in New Mexico enjoying considerable success with trainer Todd Fincher before invading Santa Anita to ride Canoodling in the Megahertz and prior to that in the Grade I La Brea last Dec. 26, where her chances were compromised after breaking from the rail.

“We got a soft, easy go and he rode her great,” trainer Mike Puype said. “He waited to use his four crops late in the race like he should have.

“He rode a perfect race yesterday. There’s no faulting that at any level.

“I haven’t talked to the owners (B-4 Farms, LLC), so I just don’t know what they have on their minds yet or if she will stay here or not.”

A four-year-old daughter of the Empire Maker stallion Pioneer of the Nile, Canoodling has won seven of 14 starts and earned $60,000 in the Megahertz.

 

FINISH LINES: American Theorem worked five furlongs Sunday in 1:01.40 for George Papaprodromou who is preparing the son of American Pharoah for this Saturday’s Grade II San Pasqual Stakes, while Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Ce Ce went four furlongs in 47 flat. Trainer Michael McCarthy has her nominated to Saturday’s Grade II Santa Monica Stakes. Impressive maiden winner Sir London went four furlongs in 47.40 for Simon Callaghan, who has the son of Malibu Moon set for next Sunday’s Robert B. Lewis Stakes. In all there were 239 recorded workouts this morning, 68 on the training track . . . Santa Anita will be dark for live racing Monday through Thursday, with live racing resuming at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4.  The track is open for simulcasting wagering on Thursday’s with the Grandstand Paddock Room opening at 10 a.m…Good news from longtime Santa Anita usher Lee Martin, an iconic fixture in the track’s box seat area who suffered a stroke recently that has disabled him on his right side.  “I can do everything I could before, but I’m limited on my right side,” said Martin by telephone Sunday morning.  “I’m doing physical therapy and I’m hopeful I’ll regain the use of everything.  My daughter and I are hoping to make it out the track soon.”

Photo Credit: Ernie Belmonte

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Brickyard Ride (Lewis) 1-26-22

 

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