DEL MAR, Calif. – Flightline had raced in his first four starts like something special. This summer at Del Mar, he had trained like something special. But what he did on Saturday at Del Mar was unreal. In the most spectacular performance seen at this track since Bing Crosby threw open the gates in 1937, Flightline turned the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic into a showcase of his raw, brilliant talent. He crushed the accomplished Dubai World Cup winner, Country Grammer, by nearly 20 lengths – and four others by more than 25 lengths – to remain unbeaten in five starts while making his first start around two turns and at 1 1/4 miles. The raw numbers are jaw-dropping. He won by 19 1/4 lengths, was timed in 1:59.28 – just .17 off the track record – while geared down late by jockey Flavien Prat – and now has won five races by a combined margin of 62 3/4 lengths. He has run Beyer Speed Figures in his first four starts ranging from 105 to 118, but for this race Flightline was given a Beyer Figure of 126, which equals the second-fastest performance since the ratings have been published in the Daily Racing Form. Ghostzapper earned a 128 in winning the Iselin Handicap at Monmouth in 2004 for the highest figure. “The way he trained, I thought we’d see something special, and we did,” said his trainer, John Sadler, who has won this race four times in the last five years, all with horses owned by, solely or in partnership, Kosta and Pete Hronis. :: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now! Asked if he ever envisioned seeing something like what Flightline did Saturday, Sadler paused a beat and said, “Kinda, ya.” “He’s such a special horse,” Sadler said. “He can go fast and carry it. You assume horses with speed can’t carry it. But this is an exceptional horse. He has speed and keeps going.” Flightline flashed that speed on Saturday, and kept going, and going, and going. He broke well enough to volley for the early lead through a moderate opening quarter in 23.42 seconds, with Extra Hope challenging him for the early lead. But Flightline was keen to go. Through the second quarter in a rapid 22.64 seconds, Flightline showed he was wanting to do more, and Prat accommodated the colt. Flightline polished off the third quarter in :23.91 to reach six furlongs in 1:09.97, and it was clear the race was going to be a runaway. Extra Hope could not keep up. Country Grammer was struggling to try and close the gap. And as Flightline eased into and then around the far turn, he began to widen, moving, as Chic Anderson once said of Secretariat, like a tremendous machine. He reached the quarter pole with a 10-length lead, having gone a mile in 1:34.47, was up by 13 passing the furlong pole, and flashed under the wire to an appreciative roar of a crowd that came to see just what it saw. After enough time for a commercial break, Country Grammer checked in second, seven lengths in front of Royal Ship. Express Train, Extra Hope, and Stilleto Boy completed the order of finish. Flightline paid $2.60 for $2 to win. He has been odds-on in every one of his races, less than even-money in his last four starts. He is making very good horses – like Country Grammer on Saturday, like Happy Saver and Speaker’s Corner in the Met Mile – look ordinary. They’re not. It’s just that Flightline is on another plane. “He’s one of those rare, shooting stars,” Sadler said. “It’s a lifelong dream to have a horse like this. He’s never been challenged. It’s just been more of the same. “He’s the best horse I’ve had. He’s the best horse racing has seen in a long time.” Flightline returned to the winner’s circle to a boisterous cheer from the fans, who already had been treated to seeing the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup, brought by Erik Johnson of the Colorado Avalanche, and the National Basketball Association’s Larry O’Brien trophy, in the company of Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr. As Flightline made his way down the track, past the clubhouse, a wave of cheering followed him. They had seen another champion. Flightline, by Tapit out of the Indian Charlie mare Feathered, was bred by the Summer Wind Farm of Jane Lyon, who retained a piece of the colt when he was purchased by a partnership that includes the Hronis brothers, West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, and Siena Farm. Sadler has brought Flightline along patiently, giving him ample time between starts. “He’s so brilliant, you have to space his races,” Sadler said. “He’s in his own category. You have to build up his energy. He doesn’t need to run more. Just enjoy the ones he runs in.” Flightline will not race again before heading to Keeneland for the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Classic, for which he earned a fees-paid berth with his win in the Pacific Classic. Both Sadler and Kosta Hronis said Flightline could race next year, with Hronis being extremely enthusiastic about wanting Flightline to keep going at age 5. “This is what he was born to do,” Hronis said. He’s now 5 for 5. He won $600,000 on Saturday, bringing his career bankroll to nearly $1.4 million. He’s worth much more as a stallion prospect. But those who saw him Saturday will say he’s priceless.