After Woodbine Mile win, World Approval targets BC Mile
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Leading trainer Mark Casse started training at Woodbine in 1998, but had to wait until 2016 to record his first win in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, with Tepin. He quickly doubled up this year when World Approval won the Woodbine Mile by 2 1/2 lengths over Lancaster Bomber on Saturday.
“It’s always sweet to win big races, but it means more at Woodbine,” Casse said.
Casse added that the win was extra special because owner Charlotte Weber of Live Oak Plantation was in attendance. Casse said it was the first time Weber had been present for a win at Woodbine.
“Mrs. Weber has been a big part of my life for a long time,” he said. “We both grew up in Ocala. She’s been there and Live Oak has been a part of Ocala for 50 years. This was special. It was nice for her to be there.”
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World Approval is now 2 for 2 since being shortened up to a mile in the Grade 1 Fourtstardave Handicap at Saratoga on Aug. 12. Casse said he felt the turn-back in distance would give World Approval a target to run at in his races, but the 5-year-old gelding found himself on the lead again under jockey John Velazquez in the Woodbine Mile. Velazquez notched his record fifth victory in the race.
“It’s not exactly the way he wants to run,” Casse said. “I said all along I think he wants a target, but there wasn’t a whole lot of speed. Johnny realized that and rode him accordingly.”
World Approval will now head off to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar in early November. Casse said going into the Woodbine Mile that he believed a good performance would make World Approval a major contender for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He reaffirmed that position following Saturday’s race.
“Am I confident we can win? I don’t think I would change places with anybody,” he said. “He’s good right now. I thought his race was impressive. He can do anything. We found that the mile is what he wants. We’re excited to be going to the Breeders’ Cup.”
