World Approval among top turf horses nominated to Woodbine Mile

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - World Approval, Mondialiste, and Deauville head the list of 26 nominees to the $800,000 Woodbine Mile here Sept. 16. The Grade 1 fixture is a Win and You’re In qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Mile.

World Approval has won three of four starts this year, all for trainer Mark Casse, who captured last year’s Woodbine Mile with champion Tepin. A handsome gray/roan gelding, World Approval is coming off a decisive score in the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga.

Casse also nominated Conquest Panthera, who won the local prep for the Woodbine Mile, the Grade 2 Play the King.

Mondialiste, a world traveler trained by David O’Meara, is expected to make his first trip back to Canada since taking the 2015 Woodbine Mile, after which he ran second to Tepin in the Grade 1 BC Mile. He won last year’s Grade 1 Arlington Million, but is winless in his last five starts, all in England.

Deauville, an accomplished millionaire trained by Aidan O’Brien, is exiting a close third-place finish in this year’s Arlington Million. He was previously competitive in top company in England, where he won the Group 3 Huxley Stakes at Chester in May.

Lightning Spear, a multiple Group 1-placed runner for trainer David Simcock, is in solid form after defending his title in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Aug. 26.

Heart to Heart, Canada’s champion 3-year-old in 2014, is a Grade 2-winning millionaire who’s been knocking on the door in Grade 1 competition. The speedy Brian Lynch charge has been idle since June 3, when he finished a lapped-on third in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita.

Along with Conquest Panthera, the local contingent is headed by Tower of Texas, Glenville Gardens, and Dragon Bay.

Tower of Texas was beaten just a half-length by Tepin when second in last year’s Woodbine Mile. The Roger Attfield trainee has experienced poor racing luck since landing his season opener in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup.

Glenville Gardens won last year’s Play the King before ending up seventh in the Woodbine Mile, and was most recently third in this year's seven-furlong Play the King. His trainer, Sid Attard, captured the 2001 Woodbine Mile with Numerous Times.

Dragon Bay found the mark in two local Grade 2 stakes this year, the Eclipse on the Tapeta and the Nijinsky on the grass.