Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
World Approval’s versatility an asset in Kilroe Mile
ARCADIA, Calif. – World Approval is unbeaten since June, compiling a four-race winning streak that has carried him to the top of the nation’s turf division. The 6-year-old gelding will be favored to continue the success in Saturday’s Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita.
World Approval clinched the title of champion turf male of 2017 with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar last November, his first start in California. The $400,000 Kilroe Mile will be World Approval’s first start at Santa Anita and first since he won the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes in Florida on Feb. 10.
World Approval has won while disputing the lead or racing a few lengths off the pace. Trainer Mark Casse said that versatility makes World Approval tough to beat.
“I think that’s one of the things that make him most effective,” Casse said.
Owned by Live Oak Plantation, World Approval will be a strong favorite in the Kilroe Mile. The presence of Om, who won the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes at a mile on turf Feb. 10, and What a View, who won the 2016 Kilroe Mile and was second in last year’s race, should ensure a solid pace.
KEY CONTENDERS
World Approval, by Northern Afleet Last 3 Beyers: 105-107-108
◗ World Approval won the Tampa Bay Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf by a half-length, taking the lead in early stretch as the 1-5 favorite. World Approval, who has won 12 of 25 starts and earned $3,052,363, tries to win his fifth Grade 1 in the Kilroe Mile.
“I think he’s as good as ever, maybe even a little better for this one,” Casse said.
◗ Casse said World Approval’s racing style reminds him of Tepin, whom he trained to titles as the champion turf female of 2015 and 2016, and Catch a Glimpse, the 2015 Canadian Horse of the Year.
“Those type of horses make their own luck in their running,” Casse said, adding that World Approval “can go to the lead, or he can sit right behind them.”
Om, by Munnings Last 3 Beyers: 99-91-95
◗ Om ended a 12-race losing streak in the Thunder Road, a span that included a nose loss in the BC Turf Sprint here in 2016. Om, a four-time stakes winner, led by as many as seven lengths in the Thunder Road and finished a half-length in front of Bowies Hero, who is part of the Kilroe field.
Trainer Dan Hendricks expects Om to be on the lead in the Kilroe, but not by seven lengths.
“He’ll go out again,” Hendricks said. “He should be a little more settled than last time, and hopefully we can get it done.”
◗ Mike Smith will ride Om for the first time, replacing Flavien Prat, who is riding World Approval for the first time.
Channel Maker, by English Channel Last 3 Beyers: 98-98-92
◗ Channel Maker has yet to win a graded stakes, but his last two races leave the gelding firmly among the contenders for the Kilroe Mile.
◗ Trained by Bill Mott, Channel Maker was second by a length in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on Nov. 25. In the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes on Feb. 10, Channel Maker was fifth, beaten two lengths, after encountering traffic in early stretch.
Bowies Hero, by Artie Schiller Last 3 Beyers: 98-101-95
◗ Bowies Hero won the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile for 3-year-olds on Dec. 26 for his fourth stakes win. The Thunder Road Stakes was his first start against older horses.
◗ Trained by Phil D’Amato, Bowies Hero is likely to have a stalking trip alongside World Approval.
“You can put him where you want,” D’Amato said. “He’s very tactical. It depends on the way the race shapes up. Will Om get an easy lead?”
Ippodamia’s Girl in China Doll
Ippodamia’s Girl, the winner of the Blue Norther Stakes here on Dec. 31, is the lone American stakes winner in a competitive running of the $75,000 China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf in Saturday’s eighth race.
Trained by Mike Puype, Ippodamia’s Girl missed the Sweet Life Stakes on the hillside turf course on Feb. 11 because of a foot issue. Puype said on Thursday that Ippodamia’s Girl will run on Saturday if the race remains on turf. Rain is likely later on Saturday but may not fall until the evening.
The China Doll Stakes drew a field of 12, including Treasuring, who won the Group 3 Curragh Stakes in Ireland last August. She was fifth in the Sweet Life Stakes in her first start this year.