Race Recaps World Approval Rides the Rail to Glory in G1 Woodbine Mile September 16, 2017 Race Recaps World Approval Rides the Rail to Glory in G1 Woodbine Mile September 16, 2017 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article TORONTO, ON – Live Oak Plantation’s homebred World Approval continued his 2017 graded stakes turf success, using a rail trip to score in Saturday’s Grade 1, $800,000 Ricoh Woodbine Mile at Woodbine Race Track. The Woodbine Mile is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with World Approval receiving an automatic berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Saturday, November 4. Breaking cleanly along the rail, World Approval dueled for the lead alongside Dragon Bay through early fractions of :23.77, :46.45, and 1:10.31. Jockey John Velazquez angled him inwards to save ground on the far turn, then shook clear of his rivals and completed the mile-long turf race in a final time of 1:33.05. “He was going so well the whole way around,” said Velazquez, who was extending his record number of Woodbine Mile winners to five. “I was just hoping when he switched down the lane and I asked him that he would respond. That’s exactly what he did. As soon as he switched, I let him know, he took off. He was ready. He broke well today, no one seemed to want the lead, I just kind of left him there and he held on very well.” After racing in ninth for most of the trip, Lancaster Bomber experienced traffic trouble on the initial stretch drive before finding a hole between foes and raced up for second. Long On Value broke slowly and trailed until the stretch, angling out and finishing strongly to take third by a nose over Mondialiste. Arod, Dutch Connection, Conquest Panthera, Tower of Texas, Glenville Gardens, Best Bard, Deauville, and Dragon Bay completed the order of finish. The win was trainer Mark Casse’s second straight in the Woodbine Mile, following Tepin’s triumph in 2016. The 5-year-old gelded son of Northern Afleet improved his career record to 23-10-2-4 with earnings of $1,837,363. Like Tepin, Casse hopes to take his star pupil west to the Breeders’ Cup later this fall. “As long as he’s healthy, we are going to the Breeders’ Cup,” Casse said. “Am I confident we can win? I don’t think I would change places with anybody.” World Approval returned $6.70 to win, $3.90 to place, and $3 to show. Lancaster Bomber brought back $5.30 to place and $4 to show, while Long On Value paid $5.30 to show.
Jim Dandy 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 677 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $500,000… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 559 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Saratoga Saturday Pick 5 Preview | Dudes Who Bet Sports 200 Aaron & Papa Dude preview Saturday’s Late Pick 5 from… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 558 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Haskell Stakes 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 676 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Jim Dandy Stakes 2024 Betting Bible | Get Saratoga Picks NOW! Get the 2024 Jim Dandy Stakes Betting Bible, featuring our EXACT race-by-race… Read More
Jim Dandy 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 677 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $500,000… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 559 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Horse Racing BEST BETS: Saratoga July 27-28, 2024 Vinny from Real Dynasty Picks gives his horse racing best… Read More
Saratoga Exacta Picks & Plays | Jim Dandy Stakes 2024 Dr. Miranda gives her Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) exacta picks… Read More