Za Approval looks to end drought in featured optional claimer
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The durable millionaire Za Approval can end an eight-race losing streak Friday in the excellent Woodbine feature. The third-level optional claimer, scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the grass, could yield a starter for next month’s Grade 1 Woodbine Mile.
Za Approval finished second to Wise Dan in the 2013 Woodbine Mile for trainer Christophe Clement. The almost-white 7-year-old was turned over to trainer Mark Casse last winter after ending up second to Kaigun in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit at Del Mar.
Za Approval finished third in both the Grade 2 Eclipse and Grade 3 Vigil Stakes when experimenting on Polytrack here in the spring. He was an unlucky third most recently in the Grade 2 Nijinsky, in which he lacked room in the stretch after taking the overland route and finishing 2 1/2 lengths back.
Seven others were entered in the headliner, including the main-track-only runner Peyton.
Key contenders
Za Approval (Last 3 Beyers: 89-87-87)
* Patrick Husbands will ride Za Approval again for Live Oak Plantation. The four-time stakes winner has a trio of Grade 3 scores on his résumé.
Excaper (Last 3 Beyers: 84-92-92)
* The slow fractions in the nine-furlong Nijinsky worked against Za Approval and should have been to the benefit of Excaper, who faded in the final furlong after attending the pace. With the blinkers back on, he’s capable of establishing an uncontested lead, though he will be going a distance just beyond his optimum.
His Race to Win (Last 3 Beyers: 92-74-99)
* The versatile 5-year-old has started just twice this year and is coming off a troubled fourth on the Polytrack in the Seagram Cup, a Grade 3 stakes he won last year. His lone turf tally came in a third-level allowance at Keeneland.
* Leading rider Eurico Da Silva has the call for trainer Malcolm Pierce. That successful combo has won a host of turf events at the meet, including a recent stakes.
Java’s War (Last 3 Beyers: 68-86-88)
* His 15 minutes of fame came when he defeated Palace Malice in the Grade 1 Blue Grass over Keeneland’s Polytrack in 2013. He never was in the hunt last out while traveling 12 furlongs in the Grade 3 Singspiel but is shortening up to a more suitable distance while picking up the hot turf rider Emma-Jayne Wilson.
Money Talker (Last 3 Beyers: 78-84-89)
* The 6-year-old is stepping up off a disappointing performance and a rare $62,500 claim by trainer Josie Carroll.