Red Bank Stakes: Za Approval Runs Down Tune Me In

Live Oak Plantation’s Za Approval waited patiently near the back of the pack before moving around the far turn, splitting rivals near the eighth pole and running down Tune Me In in the final yards of the Grade 3 $100,000 Red Bank Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Trained by Christophe Clement, Za Approval covered the mile over firm turf in 1:34 2/5 and paid $3.80, $3 and $2.80 as the odds-on choice in the field of 11 colts and geldings.  Tune Me In, who finished ¾ of a length behind the winner, held for second, completing the $48.60 exacta and paying $13.20 to place and $8 to show.  Bad Debt was another nose back in third and paid $10.

“It’s really cool to ride an old pro like this horse,” said winning jockey Joe Bravo.  “He just gave me the impression that he was in control the whole time.  I was just waiting for a place to go and he did the rest.”

A 5-year-old gelding by Ghostzapper from the With Approval mare Win Approval, Za Approval boosted his lifetime record to 6-3-0 from 13 starts.  He has now banked $302,165 for his connections.