Flightline dominates Classic run

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Unbeaten Flightline posted another dominating run, overtaking Life Is Good entering the top of the stretch and pulling away to an 8¼-length victory in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Keeneland, and all but locking up honors as Horse of the Year.

The 4-year-old bay colt entered the Grade 1 race 5-0 lifetime with an average victory margin of nearly 13 lengths, making him the overwhelming 3-5 favorite over the eight-horse field that included Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike and 5-1 second choice Epicenter. Flightline went off at 2-5 from the No. 4 post and soon established himself as among the pacesetters, running within reach of Todd Pletcher-trained Life Is Good through the far turn but moving up.

John Sadler’s pupil eventually passed Life Is Good at the stretch and soon had a two-length gap that steadily grew. Olympiad soon overtook Life Is Good with Bob Baffert-trained Taiba gaining, though both were far behind the horse who has earned lofty comparisons to legendary Triple Crown champion Secretariat.

Ridden by Flavien Part, Flightline covered the 1¼ mile in 2:00.05 and paid $2.88, $2.92 and $2.30.

Olympiad returned $12.38 and $7.16 for place, and Taiba paid $4 to show.

Epicenter, owned by Las Vegas businessman Ron Winchell, was pulled up by jockey Joel Rosario after sustaining an injury to his right forelimb. The horse walked onto the equine ambulance and was transported to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital for evaluation.