For every colt that makes a stunning debut and goes on to bigger things, there are a dozen that make similarly stunning debuts and do not. Even among those that step up with a similarly impressive allowance win in their next outing, many will not live up to their early promise. Flightline will not be among that number. After flashing brilliance in winning his first two starts by a combined 26 lengths, the son of Tapit stepped up to Grade 1 company in the RUNHAPPY Malibu Stakes with such high regard that Flavien Prat chose to ride him instead of two-time Grade 1 winner Dr. Schivel. Prat was not mistaken, and neither were any of the bettors who made Flightline a 2-5 favorite. At the wire, Flightline was on cruise control and all alone, 11½ lengths ahead of his nearest pursuer.
At this point, Flightline's potential appears nearly limitless, not least because of his pedigree. He is a descendant of Ogden Phipp's matriarch Blitey, whose family was actually represented by two graded stakes winners on December 26 thanks to Queen Goddess's win in the American Oaks (downgraded to USA-G2 after coming off the turf).
Flightline's branch of the family descends from Blitey's daughter Fantastic Find (by Mr. Prospector). One of Blitey's three Grade 1 winners, Fantastic Find scored her top-level laurels in the 1990 Hempstead Handicap and placed in three more Grade 1 races during her career. Adding to her accomplishments, Fantastic Find produced the good steeplechaser Tax Dodge (by Dynaformer); Freedom of Speech (by Danzig), dam of 2005 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (USA-G2) winner T. D. Vance (by Rahy); Indy Pick (by A.P. Indy), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Optimizer (by English Channel); Grand Gala (by Dixieland Band), second dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Doña True; and, best of all, Finder's Fee (by Storm Cat), winner of the 1999 Matron Stakes (USA-G1) and 2000 Acorn Stakes (USA-G1).
Finder's Fee produced only six foals, and none of them lived up to the standards previously set by the family. The best of the six was listed-placed Receipt (by Dynaformer), who started getting things back on track with her daughter Feathered. Sired by Indian Charlie, Feathered won the 2015 Edgewood Stakes (USA-G3) and placed in three Grade 1 events at 2 and 3. Flightline is her second foal and second winner, and Feathered has since produced the unraced Pioneerof the Nile 2-year-old Voron (now exported to Russia), the Tapit yearling Olivier, and the 2021 Curlin colt Eagles Flight. She was bred to Into Mischief for 2022.
With three Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winners to his credit, Tapit is already well proven as a horse that can get staying runners in the North American scheme of things, and with stamina influence Dynaformer sandwiched between matings to the speedier Indian Charlie and Storm Cat along Flightline's dam line, the colt indeed appears to be one of those horses who could be anything. Having already established himself as a gifted sprinter, if Flightline can stay sound and has the stamina to go with his brilliance, he may send the family of Blitey soaring to still greater heights.
At this point, Flightline's potential appears nearly limitless, not least because of his pedigree. He is a descendant of Ogden Phipp's matriarch Blitey, whose family was actually represented by two graded stakes winners on December 26 thanks to Queen Goddess's win in the American Oaks (downgraded to USA-G2 after coming off the turf).
Flightline's branch of the family descends from Blitey's daughter Fantastic Find (by Mr. Prospector). One of Blitey's three Grade 1 winners, Fantastic Find scored her top-level laurels in the 1990 Hempstead Handicap and placed in three more Grade 1 races during her career. Adding to her accomplishments, Fantastic Find produced the good steeplechaser Tax Dodge (by Dynaformer); Freedom of Speech (by Danzig), dam of 2005 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (USA-G2) winner T. D. Vance (by Rahy); Indy Pick (by A.P. Indy), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Optimizer (by English Channel); Grand Gala (by Dixieland Band), second dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Doña True; and, best of all, Finder's Fee (by Storm Cat), winner of the 1999 Matron Stakes (USA-G1) and 2000 Acorn Stakes (USA-G1).
Finder's Fee produced only six foals, and none of them lived up to the standards previously set by the family. The best of the six was listed-placed Receipt (by Dynaformer), who started getting things back on track with her daughter Feathered. Sired by Indian Charlie, Feathered won the 2015 Edgewood Stakes (USA-G3) and placed in three Grade 1 events at 2 and 3. Flightline is her second foal and second winner, and Feathered has since produced the unraced Pioneerof the Nile 2-year-old Voron (now exported to Russia), the Tapit yearling Olivier, and the 2021 Curlin colt Eagles Flight. She was bred to Into Mischief for 2022.
With three Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winners to his credit, Tapit is already well proven as a horse that can get staying runners in the North American scheme of things, and with stamina influence Dynaformer sandwiched between matings to the speedier Indian Charlie and Storm Cat along Flightline's dam line, the colt indeed appears to be one of those horses who could be anything. Having already established himself as a gifted sprinter, if Flightline can stay sound and has the stamina to go with his brilliance, he may send the family of Blitey soaring to still greater heights.
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