Go for Launch launched the superstar Flightline with his first stakes winner
- Turf Diario
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
The daughter of the unforgettable champion scored an authoritative victory in the Bolton Landing Stakes (L) on the Saratoga turf, handing her sire the first black-type success of his initial crop; completing a regal pedigree, she is out of Canadian champion Starship Jubilee, a great-granddaughter of the Argentine mare Podeica (Portese)
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Expectation surrounding the first crop of Flightline is massive. It could hardly be otherwise for one of the most extraordinary racehorses of modern times. And on Wednesday, the superstar received the kind of news every stallion needs early in his stud career: his first stakes winner landed on the board.
In fact, it was a filly. Go for Launch had the honor of marking the milestone by authoritatively taking the Bolton Landing Stakes (L-$200,000) over 1,100 meters on the Saratoga turf, preserving her undefeated record and confirming that her maiden triumph was no fluke.
Bred and owned by Blue Heaven Farm, the bay filly boasts pedigree to excite from all angles—not only does she belong to the first crop of Flightline, but she is out of the extraordinary Starship Jubilee (Indy Wind), Canadian Horse of the Year in 2019 and three-time Champion Turf Female there from 2017 to 2019. Furthermore, she is a great-granddaughter of the Argentine G1 winner Podeica (Portese).
Her dam had herself shined at this very same Saratoga track where her daughter is now making a name for herself, capturing the 2020 Ballston Spa Stakes (G2).
“It's very special. We trained the dam, who was so good,” said Joshua Attard, son and assistant to trainer Kevin Attard. “Go for Launch showed talent from the beginning, and I think she'll improve even more as she gets more distance. Having a daughter of Starship Jubilee, and by the great Flightline no less, is special.”
The filly entered the Bolton Landing following a successful debut on July 25 at Woodbine, where she led wire-to-wire over 1,000 meters. For the occasion, Pietro Moran—the Eclipse Award-winning apprentice who had ridden her in that debut—traveled down specially to retain the mount.
This time, however, Go for Launch proved she has more tools in her arsenal. Breaking from post 2, she was bumped by favorite Side Quest (Charlatan) as the doors opened, but quickly settled comfortably along the rail in third, 1 1/2 lengths off Allura (Mind Control), who took the lead through an initial quarter-mile of 22s11/100.
“She was on her toes, but when the gates opened, I just let her do her thing. There was plenty of speed on paper, and once she had a target in front of her, she settled in really nicely and relaxed,” Moran explained.
That tactical adjustment proved to be one of the most encouraging takeaways from her effort. After showing frontrunning speed in her debut, Go for Launch demonstrated that she does not rely solely on setting the pace to deliver her best.
Saving ground throughout, she reached the stretch still behind Allura. Once Moran tipped her out into clear running room, she set her sights on the leader, who had covered the opening half-mile in 45s28/100.
The response was immediate. Go for Launch accelerated with ease, collared Allura, and quickly drew away to score by a decisive 2 1/4 lengths, stopping the clock in 1m2s45/100. Extravaganzoo (Golden Pal) closed to finish third, another half-length back, while Lexi's Charm (Lexitonian) completed the superfecta.
“When I asked her, she gave me a great turn of foot. She did everything on her own, and when I called on her, she changed gears right away. She ran strong all the way to the wire,” said Moran, who celebrated his first win at Saratoga.
For the Attard barn, her progression between that first outing at Woodbine and the Bolton Landing was as gratifying as the victory itself.
“I really liked how she settled off the pace and produced a strong rally. It's always positive to know she isn't a one-dimensional filly and that she can race from off the pace,” Joshua Attard reflected.
Allura dug in gamely to hold second, leaving jockey Flavien Prat satisfied with her performance: “She showed plenty of speed out of the gate and got to the lead easily. In the final 400 meters, she pricked her ears and I thought she was going really well. She ran great; the winner was just superior.”
Go for Launch banked $110,000 for the win, keeping her record flawless at two wins from two starts. Beyond her own numbers, however, the Bolton Landing will be remembered for what it represents for Flightline.
Undefeated in six career starts and author of unforgettable performances on the track, the son of Tapit generated enormous expectations upon entering stud. Now, with his first 2-year-olds hitting the track, Go for Launch has delivered his first major milestone: his first black-type winner.
Comments