World Approval sharp in Woodbine Mile work

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – World Approval, the Grade 1 Fourstardave winner, worked five furlongs in 58.91 seconds on Friday over the Oklahoma turf course as he prepares for the Grade 1, $800,000 Woodbine Mile on Sept. 16.

Working inside of the orange cones, known as “dogs,” on the turf, World Approval, wearing blinkers, went his opening quarter in 24.09 seconds and got his final quarter in 23.01.

“We put them on because he was by himself and wanted him to do something today,” trainer Mark Casse said of the blinkers. “I don’t think he’s ever been better.”

Casse also worked multiple graded stakes winner La Coronel, who went a half-mile in 49.10 seconds over the Oklahoma turf, getting her final quarter in 23.75. She is being pointed to the Grade 2, $400,000 Sands Point at Belmont on Sept. 16.

Disco Partner, trained by Christophe Clement, worked a half-mile in 48.99 seconds over the Oklahoma turf course, getting his final quarter in 23.21 under Irad Ortiz Jr. Clement said Disco Partner would run next in either the Woodbine Mile or the $150,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational on Oct. 7.

◗ Finley’sluckycharm returned to the work tab Friday morning, breezing a half-mile in 49.98 seconds over the Oklahoma track. Finley’sluckycharm finished second to Paulassilverlining in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss but was later diagnosed with swelling in a leg that forced her to miss some training time and ultimately the Grade 1 Ballerina.

Finley’sluckycharm, a four-time stakes winner, is pointing to the Grade 2, $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 7.