Watch: Flightline works in company from the gate at Del Mar

Undefeated Flightline continued preparations for his two-turn debut in the $1 million Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Saturday when working five furlongs from the gate in company with recent allowance winner Impossible Task. 

Breaking at the top of stretch under Juan Leyva, Flightline drilled the distance in 59.4 seconds. It was the third-fastest of 89 moves at the distance at Del Mar. 

Trainer John Sadler, who was celebrating his 66th birthday on Saturday, noted all was well with Flightline following the work in a text message to Horse Racing Nation.

Flightline has been off since winning the June 11 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) by six lengths at Belmont Park to improve to 4-for-4. The 1 1/4-miles Pacific Classic over Labor Day weekend on Saturday, Sept. 3 will be his first time going a true route of ground.

Sadler spoke with TVG's Britney Eurton following the breeze and explained the decision to work from the gate.

"We haven't really been happy with the way he's been breaking from the gate in the afternoon. I thought I maybe put him to sleep in the gate with a little too much schooling," Sadler said. "So we said after the Met Mile we were going to have one gate work when we get down here...kind of refresh his mind from the gate."

A 4-year-old colt by Tapit, Flightline won a six-furlong allowance at Del Mar last summer by 12 3/4 lengths. That was followed by an 11 1/2-length demolition in the seven-furlong Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita last December. 

Flightline is expected to work weekly on Saturdays leading into the Pacific Classic, which is five weeks out.