World Approval wins the 2017 Breeders' Cup Mile
On a chamber of commerce day at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, favored World Approval was in striking distance the entire trip and ran down the pacesetters in the final stages to win the 2017 Breeders' Cup Mile.
Breaking from post five, World Approval rated in fifth place early on as Midnight Storm, Heart to Heart, and Home of the Brave battled through an opening quarter of 22.30 seconds. “He always breaks well, and that’s important for us, because Johnny [jockey John Velazquez] was nervous of some speed on the outside,” said trainer Mark Casse.
As the field turned up the backstretch, the five year-old son of Northern Afleet bided his time two-wide while the pacesetters battled through a half in 45.65 seconds.
Turning for home after six furlongs in 1:10.04, the gray gelding moved three-wide to take the lead as the pacesetters started to fade, but his work was not done. World Approval had to hold off an onslaught of challengers, but did so with energy to spare. “He was between horses coming down the lane. He always had it for me. Horses like him make you look good. He’s been perfect for me,” Velazquez said.
When the dust settled, World Approval had held off Lancaster Bomber by 1 ¼ lengths for the top spot. It was a head back to Blackjackcat in third.
This was the third win for Velazquez in the Mile, and the second for owner Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation and for Casse as well. Weber’s other Mile winner, Miesque’s Approval, was also out of the blue-hen mare Win Approval. “I feel honored to be associated with the Casse’s,” Weber said.
As for others in the race, top-miler and second favorite, Ribchester was never in contention and checked in fifth place. “I was a little bit disappointed as he came off the bridle a little sooner than I would have expected him to, but he has had a long season,” jockey William Buick said.
The winner covered the mile on turf in 1.34.55. For his efforts he returned $1,200,000 to his owner and $7.40 to his backers.