World Approval Rides Hedge to Win Saranac
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Live Oak Plantation's World Approval found space on the hedge and went from last to first exiting the final turn to win the $300,000 Saranac Stakes (gr. IIIT) Sept. 5 at Saratoga Race Course.
Under the guidance of jockey Joel Rosario and at odds of 8-1, the 3-year-old gelding by Northern Afleet hung in on the rail, made his move, and outlasted Money Multiplier to win by a head in the 1 1/8-mile turf event. Go Around made a wide move in the final turn to finish third, 1 1/4 lengths behind.
"I just wanted to be on the inside the whole way and try to save some ground," Rosario said. "I could see 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."
Trained by Mark Casse, World Approval earned his first graded score in the July 11 American Derby (gr. IIIT) at Arlington International Racecourse, but finished fourth behind 8-5 Saranac favorite Takeover Target in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (gr. IIT) last time out Aug. 7. Takeover Target went wide to make a bid in the Saranac, but lacked a closing kick and finished sixth.
Nonna's Boy took to the front entering the first turn and set fractions of :22.30 and :46.29 through a half-mile. World Approval began to advance in the backstretch, as Nonna's Boy hit six furlongs in 1:10.23, but dropped back to last again as the field bunched together in final the turn. Rosario sat patiently on the hedge, waiting to make his move. The pair hit the wire at 1:45.39 on turf rated firm.
"You can't even say enough about the ride," said Norman Casse, assistant to Mark. "The ride made a big difference. 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. (Rosario) never gave up on him and it looked like he was confident with him the whole time. He made all the difference today."
The winner paid $19.80, $8.20, and $4.30 across the board. Money Multiplier brought $11.80 and $5.70, and Go Around returned $3.40 to show.
Bred in Florida by Live Oak out of the With Approval mare Win Approval, World Approval now has a 4-0-2 record from nine starts with a $364,050 bankroll.
Nonna's Boy hung on to take fourth, followed by Winter Springs, Takeover Target, Vision Perfect, and Sky Hero to complete the order of finish.