Champion World Approval to be Freshened for 2019
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Photo: SV Photography
World Approval with trainer Mark Casse and owner/breeder Charlotte Weber at Tampa Bay Downs
Charlotte Weber's homebred World Approval, the reigning champion turf male, will be given the rest of 2018 off, with designs on bringing the Northern Afleet gelding back for his 7-year-old season.
World Approval has not worked since finishing sixth in the June 16 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs. Trainer Mark Casse had hoped to get the gray/roan runner back on form during the Saratoga Race Course meeting but said July 28 that the defending Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) winner was not showing signs of being ready to return to his top form in the second half of the year.
"He's done for the year. He's actually already in Ocala (Fla.)," Casse said. "He's only had little, tiny breaks, and I just didn't feel like we were going to make the Breeders' Cup. So Ms. Weber and I talked about it, and she loves giving them time. She's all about giving them rest and everything. So the plan is to give him about 2-3 months and bring him back late fall so we can start getting him ready for the spring.
"I think if there were more owners like that, it'd be great for racing. We need our stars."
World Approval earned the Eclipse Award for divisional honors after winning five of six starts in 2017, including three straight grade 1 triumphs to cap the year. He opened his 6-year-old campaign with a win in the Feb. 10 Tampa Bay Stakes (G3T) before finishing fifth in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T) and next to last in the Wise Dan.
Out of Live Oak Plantation's blue hen mare Win Approval, World Approval has 12 wins from 27 starts, with $3,062,363 in earnings.