World Approval using Tampa Bay Stakes as prep for Dubai Turf

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Sometime next month, World Approval will board an overseas flight to Dubai from his winter base on the Atlantic Coast, or so his connections hope.

First, however, World Approval must criss-cross the Florida peninsula by van to fit in a crucial prep for the $6 million Dubai Turf on March 31. The roan 6-year-old gelding’s long journey into 2018 starts Saturday with the Grade 3, $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes, one of three stakes on the Sam F. Davis undercard on Festival Preview Day at Tampa Bay Downs.

Bred and owned by the Live Oak Plantation of Charlotte Weber, World Approval will be heavily favored in the 32nd running of the Tampa Bay at 1 1/16 miles on turf. After all, he is the reigning turf champion in North America, having ended a sensational 2017 with a 1 1/4-length victory in the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar.

“We’re looking for the signs that he wants us to take him to Dubai,” trainer Mark Casse said. “He’s given us every indication that he’s going to be as effective this year as he’s ever been.”

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That’s some sobering news for the connections of the nine other older horses in the Tampa Bay, the 11th of 12 Saturday races (post, 5:25 p.m. Eastern). World Approval, with John Velazquez back to ride, has earned more than $2.9 million with a relentless stalking style that invariably wears down the opposition and has resulted in triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in his last five starts. He will try to prevail for the fourth straight time and for the sixth time in seven starts.

Among his more worthy opponents are Fire Away (post 3, Jose Ortiz), a last-out winner of the Artie Schiller in November at Aqueduct; Forge (post 6, Manny Franco), a two-back runner-up in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga; and the one-two finishers last month in a local allowance prep, Doctor Mounty (post 1, Antonio Gallardo) and Western Reserve (post 5, Daniel Centeno).

The purse for the Tampa Bay carries an additional $25,000 for Florida-breds. World Approval is the only starter eligible for the bonus.

Endeavour looks intriguing

The Grade 3 Endeavour (race 9, post 4:20) is the filly-mare twin to the Tampa Bay, going at 1 1/16 miles on turf with a $150,000 purse (plus $25,000 to Florida-breds). The 19th Endeavour shapes up as a very intriguing matchup between multiple graded winners Dona Bruja (post 2, Ortiz) and La Coronel (post 7, Jose Lezcano), with both returning from layoffs dating to October at Keeneland.

“It’s a very tough race,” said Ignacio Correas, who trains Dona Bruja for Dom Felipe LLC. “We’d like to win, although we’re looking at the bigger picture,” referring to a return to the Beverly D. in August and possibly a berth in the Breeders’ Cup in November. “I know she is going to run good. She has been training very well, my goodness.”

La Coronel won the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup last year to conclude a 3-year-old season in which she banked more than $600,000.

“This year we’re looking at the same path we took with Tepin,” said Casse, who trains La Coronel for John Oxley.

Casse said the Jenny Wiley at Keeneland in April is an early season target for La Coronel.

If neither of the favorites is quite ready for her best, then trainer Derek Ryan is hoping the more recent form of Viva Vegas (post 8, Jesus Castanon) could result in an upset. The gray daughter of The Factor is 2 for 2 at the Tampa meet.

“She’s the best filly I’ve had in quite some time,” Ryan said. “She’s been training unbelievably well.”

◗ The Suncoast (race 7, post 3:16), the only ungraded race among the four Festival Preview stakes, probably will have Daisy (post 8, Velazquez) as the favorite in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Daisy was a 4 3/4-length winner of the Tempted at Aqueduct in early November for trainer John Servis.

The purse for the 38th Suncoast is $100,000, with two starters, Blonde Bomber (post 2, Lezcano) and Prospective Lady (post 3, Gallardo), eligible for another $50,000 in Florida-bred bonuses. Blonde Bomber, based at Gulfstream Park with Stanley Gold, will be looking to rebound off a fourth-place finish in the Silverbulletday last month at Fair Grounds after ending her 2-year-old season with a third-place finish at 30-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.