Za Approval still a possibility for Breeders' Cup Mile

ELMONT, N.Y. – The defection of Wise Dan could open the floodgates for several horses to run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Za Approval, second to Wise Dan in last year’s Mile, is being pointed to that race but most likely would have to be chosen by the Breeders’ Cup Selection Committee should the race oversubscribe.

Za Approval’s only victory from five starts this year came in the Real Courage here Sept. 7. He was scratched out of Saturday’s Grade 3 Knickerbocker Stakes because of the soft turf. On Wednesday, he worked four furlongs in 49.12 seconds over the Belmont main track.

“It’s possible,” trainer Christophe Clement said of the Mile. “As of now, he was not in a group that could get in on points. I thought more people would try to run without Wise Dan.”

Clement is planning to send Summer Front to the Mile. Summer Front won the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale at Gulfstream and has finished second in the Grade 1 Shoemaker and, most recently, the Grade 1 Eddie Read.

On Monday, Summer Front worked a solid half-mile over the Belmont turf in 48.46 seconds.