This Week in Racing: Champions strut their stuff coast to coast

Like a fine wine, World Approval only gets better with age. At his very best the second half of 2017, the now-6-year-old son of Northern Afleet by the fantastic broodmare, Win Approval, swept to an Eclipse Award for trainer Mark Casse and Live Oak Plantation with three consecutive Grade 1 wins. Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, the champion returned and pushed his winning streak to four with a victory in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes. Not fully cranked up for his seasonal debut, the first race in more than three months, but he still had what he needed to get the job done, while conceding the runner-up seven pounds. Much like Tepin (trained by Casse) in recent years past, look for him to only get better as the weather up north warms. Originally looking at a trip overseas to contest the rich Dubai Turf, it now appears the connections of World Approval will keep him stateside instead of stretching him out to nine furlongs against some of the world's best, according to the Daily Racing Form.

Also named a champion in 2017, Unique Bella may still not have showcased her best form. Despite having her sophomore season interrupted by a physical setback, and a disappointing run in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, the regally bred daughter of Tapit was able to rebound with a nice score in the Grade 1 La Brea to close out her year. It was a win that not only secured an Eclipse Award, but also served as a reminder of what kind of talent she has under the hood heading into 2018. That ability was on full display on Saturday at Santa Anita, as the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained star ran her career record to 7-of-9 lifetime with a complete trouncing of her competition in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes. Truth be told, it was a race that set up very well for her, with little early speed to trouble her early. Still, she turned in a type of performance that only the really good ones can. Forever Unbridled, Abel Tasman, and the rest of the best dirt fillies out there, be warned, Unique Bella has officially thrown down the gauntlet. ZATT's Star of the Week is ... Unique Bella!

World Approval was not the only hard-hitting grass horse to shine this weekend. Let's begin at Gulfstream Park, where Heart to Heart finally earned that elusive Grade 1 victory. The 7-year-old son of English Channel has long been close to breaking through at the highest level, but never quite got there. That is, until Saturday. Under a heady ride by Julien Leparoux, the speedy warrior took them all the way in the Gulfstream Park Turf, ultimately holding off a stiff, late challenge from Kurilov. This may have been his first Grade 1 victory, but overall it was the 14th time he has made it to the winner's circle for trainer Brian Lynch. He is a shade below World Approval in ability, but the horse with the heart shaped blaze certainly knows his way to the wire.

Back at Tampa Bay, Dona Bruja threw her name into the ring as a real contender in the race for the female turf title vacated by Lady Eli. Imported from Argentina, the 6-year-old mare showed plenty of ability in her first season in the U.S. last year, but was unable to get to the winner's circle in her two biggest tests. If Saturday's win in the Endeavour Stakes is any indication, she may well be ready to beat the best in her division in 2018. She powerfully turned away the challenge from the high class La Coronel on her way to a four-length romp. Trained by Ignacio Correas, this was likely her best performance yet, in what was her fifth start since coming to America. Including her South American career, she has now won 11-for-15 lifetime.

Finally, we continue the theme of strong, experienced turf runners to win this weekend with Ring Weekend. It was only an allowance event, but the Grade 1 winner looked as good as ever while dominating his rivals and finishing off the mile in 1:34 and change Sunday at Gulfstream. Trained by Graham Motion and owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Ring Weekend set himself up very nicely for a return to graded stakes racing. Much like the other turf horse previously mentioned in this column, the 7-year-old son of Tapit once again demonstrated what a good horse can do at advanced age. 

On the Kentucky Derby trail, Flameaway pulled off a minor upset by tenaciously holding off the favored runner, Catholic Boy, in the Sam F. Davis Stakes, also Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. Honestly, I have a hard time believing that he might ultimately be a Kentucky Derby winner, but the Canadian-bred son of Scat Daddy certainly deserves some props. He is already a stakes winner on turf, dirt and mud, and also sprinting and going two turns. It seems Mark Casse has about as versatile runner as you could want. The top three from the Davis all deserve credit for a very solid effort, moving them happily on their way toward Louisville, but it was actually the third-place finisher Vino Rosso who may have the most upside. The lightly raced son of Curlin took his time leveling out in the stretch, but when he did, the talent was clearly visible. The gallop out has me believing that there will be better to come from this one.

In California, Kanthaka flattered this blog, as the top-choice selection won the San Vicente Stakes at double digit odds. It clearly was a case of pace making the race. While the highly regarded, and heavily favored, Ax Man had his goose cooked by a suicidal pace duel, the Hollendorfer-trained son of Jimmy Creed was more than happy to come and pick up the pieces. It's not often that a race so perfectly sets up for a late runner, so do not give up on Ax Man just yet, nor the solid second-place finisher, Nero, as well. All three are horses to watch in the near future.

This week, look for plenty of action on the Kentucky Derby front as a trio of preps are scheduled for Arkansas, Louisiana, and Northern California. Of the set, I am most interested to see a rematch between Instilled Regard and Principe Guilherme in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds. I rate the former highly as a potential Derby horse, but the latter ran on quite well after getting less than a good trip last time. It should be another good test for both. Also, at Oaklawn Park, Monday's Southwest Stakes will feature the return of a horse I've been waiting for, Sporting Chance. The D. Wayne Lukas charge won the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga when last seen.