WorldApproval wows atWoodbine
One of the Stars of Saratoga made a prompt impact on the Breeders’ Cup with a powerful victory in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile last weekend in Toronto.
World Approval, who posted a decisive victory in the Fourstardave Handicap on Aug. 12 at the Spa on a yielding course, won the Woodbine Mile by nearly three lengths over the event’s usual top- class field.
Owned by Live Oak Plantation and trained by Mark Casse, the 5- year- old gelding now heads to the Breeders’ Cup as one of the favorites in the Nov. 4 Mile on the Del Mar turf course.
He has now won two consecutive Grade 1 races at the distance, and was timed in 1: 33 on a firm course.
World Approval trained very sharply at Saratoga following his victory in the Fourstardave.
He has won four of five starts this year and sent his career earnings to $ 1,837,363 with 10 victories from 23 starts.
World Approval is one of the sharpest horses in the country right now, having reached and sustained peak formand looks ready to take charge of the older male turf division.
Since its inception in 1997, the Woodbine Mile has played a significant role for Breeders’ Cup Mile. Eight of its winners have hit the board in theMile, with Wise Dan winning both events in 2012 and 2013. Kip Deville won the Mile after finishing second in the Woodbine Mile in 2007.
Wise Dan also won the Fourstardave in 2012 and 2013.
Delta Downs Jackpot canceled
I’m sorry to see one of my favorite juvenile races, the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot, canceled for what would have been its 15th running on Nov. 18.
The $ 1 million event in Louisiana, despite being raced late in the year after the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, nonetheless fought its way to recognition, with several of its participants scoring major Grade 1 victories later in their careers.
Boyd Gaming and the Delta Downs press crew did a fine job in promoting the race in its early years.
Closing Argument, the winner in 2004, finished second in the Kentucky Derby, while Big Drama, the