Flightline Dominates in Record-Breaking TVG Pacific Classic Win

In case you missed the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic Sept. 3 at Del Mar, heavy favorite Flightline won Del Mar's signature race by nearly 20 lengths in the greatest performance in Pacific Classic history - and perhaps the history of the track.

The 4-year-old son of Tapit won his fifth straight race in dominating fashion and earned an automatic berth into the $6 Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 5 at Keeneland.

Flightline's Dominating Victory

Flightline was the huge betting favorite in FanDuel Racing odds. How dominant was his victory?

1. Record 19 1/4 Length Win

Flightline finished 19¼ lengths ahead of Country Grammer. The winning margin was the greatest in Pacific Classic history by almost seven lengths. Accelerate won in 2018 by 12½ lengths. Flightline finished the 1 1/4 mile race in 1:59.28, just missing the track record set by Candy Ride in the 2003 Pacific Classic (1:59.11).

2. Undefeated Champ

Flightline is now 5-0 in his career. The total margin of victory in those races is 62¾ lengths — an average of 12½ lengths per win.

3. Heavy Favorite

At odds of 3-10, Flightline became the shortest-priced winner in Pacific Classic history, returning $2.60 to his backers. Both Accelerate (2018) and Maximum Security (2020) won as 2-5 favorites.

“Flightline is in his own category,” said trainer John Sadler, who scored his fourth Pacific Classic win in the past five years. “I thought we would see something special today and we did."

Next up for Flightline is the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 5 at Keeneland.