Tenacious Lanz to $2.1M for Flightline Colt at F-T May

Early in the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale May 18, bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz stayed aggressive as bidding for Hip 54, a colt by 2022 Horse of the Year, Flightline, soared into seven-figure territory. Bidding on behalf of KAS Stables, Lanz ultimately landed the New York-bred Flightline colt out of grade 1 winner Bar of Gold with a final bid of $2.1 million. "It's not the first time I've done this," Lanz said about securing a high-priced horse. "It's a tough situation, bidding so high for these horses to me is a big responsibility. "I celebrate this, but the real celebration is when they can win races on the track. It's nice to buy these expensive horses, but at the same time, it feels like a little bit more pressure." Lanz said the colt will stay in the United States to race, but a trainer has not yet been decided. Lanz, who has been a believer in Flightline, said he was drawn to the colt's athleticism and the way he moved over the track. "The first time I saw the horse was in a video that Sequel posted. He's a very nice mover. He's a beautiful horse, a balanced horse with hip and shoulders, a nice walker. "Then I saw the page, he's out of a Breeders' Cup champion mare, and all the hype with Flightline, I think the hype is real. The comments you hear from Japan are amazing. Everyone is excited, and you see Zedan in April (OBS Sale), an amazing horse. So, I knew this horse was going to bring a lot of money. It's the last time to buy a Flightline in this 2-year-old season." Lanz has been complimentary of Fasig-Tipton's new format, which includes untimed workouts and restricted crop use. He said Hip 54's fluid movement stood out to him. "He entered into the turn on his left lead and immediately changed leads perfectly, beautifully. I don't care about the times, even though I was clocking the horse, he went in like :35 4/5, which is a very nice breeze for a 3/8s for a 2-year-old." Lanz purchased a Flightline colt for $400,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale, also on behalf of KAS Stables. The colt is out of the graded stakes-placed Warrior's Reward mare, Message, and is currently in training with John Sadler. "He was training very well over the winter. Everyone is excited about the horse," said Lanz of the John Sadler trainee. "I think Flightline is going to be a great stallion." Sequel Bloodstock consigned the colt on behalf of Chester Broman, who bred Hip 54 out of his homebred grade 1 winner who captured the 2017 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). Bar of Gold has already produced grade 3 winner Coinage (Tapit), who won the 2021 With Anticipation Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga Race Course.