World Approval Prevails in Saranac
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Photo:
NYRA
World Approval came from last to prevail after a rousing stretch run and take Saturday's Grade 3, $300,000 Saranac at Saratoga Race Course by a head over Money Multiplier.
The 3-year-old gelded son of Northern Afleet, bred and owned by Live Oak Plantation, stayed toward the back of the pack while Nonna's Boy led through a first quarter-mile in 22.30 seconds, a half-mile in 46.29 and six furlongs in 1:10.23 before yielding to Money Multiplier as they straightened for home. Moving up along the inside under Joel Rosario, World Approval made his bid approaching the eighth pole and outkicked his rival to the wire, with Go Around settling for third after challenging on the outside.
"I just wanted to be on the inside the whole way and try to save some ground," said Rosario. "When [John Velazquez] pointed to the outside [aboard Money Multiplier], I said, 'OK, that's my chance to go.' [My horse] was just skipping trying to keep on going, keep on coming. When he got there, he moved really beautiful on the inside."
World Approval's final time was 1:45.39 for the 1 1/8-mile turf race. Sent off at 8-1, he returned $19.80 for a $2 win bet as he picked up his third stakes victory of 2015. Overall, World Approval is 4-0-2 from nine career starts, with earnings of $364,050.
"You can't even say enough about the ride; the ride made a big difference," said Norman Casse, son and assistant to winning trainer Mark Casse. "This horse is a very tricky horse to figure out and ride. You can't give up on him and when you ask him, he'll go. [Joel] never gave up on him and it looked like he was confident with him the whole time. He made all the difference today."
Money Multiplier was 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Go Around, with Nonna's Boy holding on for fourth. Winter Springs, favored Takeover Target, Vision Perfect and Sky Hero completed the order of finish.
"At the sixteenth pole, I didn't think we'd win because that's how tough the meet has been on us," said Casse. "This was our last runner of the meet, and we get to come back next year with some optimism."
Source: NYRA Communications (Jackie Anderson)
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