More Than Looks shows best turn of foot in Breeders' Cup Mile

More Than Looks, sixth beaten only two lengths in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Mile, was second in both of his starts in 2024 heading into the Breeders' Cup Mile. Trainer Cherie DeVaux had him ready to peak at the right time. His rally may have been the last and the outermost, but his turn of foot was also the best.

Goliad (26-1) set the early pace with Ten Happy Rose (58-1) tracking in closest range, through early fractions of 22.73 seconds for the quarter and 45.90 seconds for the opening half. Meanwhile More Than Looks (6-1), was happy to sit in last for much of the race.

The field began to descend upon Goliad near the quarter, with Ten Happy Rose getting first run. More Than Looks began to gain ground under jockey Jose Ortiz, but still raced toward the rear as the field turned for home.

Ten Happy Rose led with a furlong to go, but the challenge to the outside was just too strong. Johannes (4-1) came on well to her outside, as did favored Notable Speech (2-1). But, it was More Than Looks who kicked away in the end, winning by three quarters of a length.

More Than Looks crossed the finish line in 1:32.65 for a mile over firm going, and paid his backers $15.80 to win.

Johannes outfinished Notable Speech by a head for place. It was another half length back to Ten Happy Rose, who held on for fourth over Geoglyph (31-1), who completed the high five.

“I knew I had enough speed leaving the gate,” Ortiz said. “So as soon as I broke, I saw (William) Buick inside of me, so right away, that's the horse (Notable Speech) I wanted to follow. I either wanted to follow him or Chili Flag or somebody that closes. But I wanted to follow William and it worked out perfect.”

More Than Looks is a 4-year-old colt by More than Ready out of the Harlan's Holiday mare Ladies' Privilege. Cherie DeVaux trains him for Victory Racing Partners. The win, his first at the graded level, extends More Than Looks's career record to 11: 5-3-1. The victory was worth $1,040,000, raising the horse's earnings to $1,870,715.

“It is amazing,” DeVaux said of More Than Looks's victory. “Being here with so many friends. It has been a year. Everything hit all at once (when More Than Looks won). The emotions. Everything went as well as we could have hoped for. The horse is a little difficult to ride. He doesn’t get early position, but Jose (Ortiz) did a great job of getting him settled and getting him out.”

The win was the first Breeders' Cup triumph for DeVaux, and the sixth for Ortiz.