Update: Sadler explains setback for undefeated Flightline

Undefeated Grade 1 winner Flightline suffered a “setback” and will not make his 4-year-old debut in Santa Anita’s Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes on March 5, trainer John Sadler confirmed Sunday morning.

“There’s soreness in his right hock,” Sadler said, referring to the large joint above the shin bone in the rear leg. “We’ve done diagnostics and will do more, and X-rays are negative.”

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Flightline, a $1 million son of Tapit, captured the Malibu Stakes (G1) by 11 1/2 lengths Dec. 26. Before victory, the bay colt won his first two starts by a combined margin of 26 lengths to the delight of a racing world whose anticipation of his future races held boundless excitement.

Sadler, meanwhile, remained cool, calm and collected.

“People are coming up to me and offering their condolences,” he said with a sense of both appreciation and understanding, “but it’s not like he’s going to die.

“There’s no time frame on when he’ll return to the track, but he’ll be fine. He just had a setback.”