World Approval gives Casse another star miler

Trainer Mark Casse was blessed to train the great Tepin, who won Champion Turf Female honors in both 2015 and 2016, and Canadian turf champ Catch a Glimpse as well. And the conditioner boasts yet another turf performer who is destined to be a champion this season.

The comprehensive triumph by WORLD APPROVAL in the Woodbine Mile (G1) on Saturday marked the second consecutive romp in a Grade 1 race for the five-year-old, who was exiting a facile score in the Fourstardave (G1) at Saratoga. He’s become a beast since cutting back in distance.

A winner of the 2016 United Nations (G1) at 1 3/8 miles, the son of Northern Afleet is four-for-five this campaign including a fine tally in the Dixie S. (G2), and the Kentucky-bred looks unstoppable right now. To have enough speed to win at the top class at eight furlongs, as well as the stamina to carry it nearly 12 panels is something that speaks volumes about this peaking star.

At Woodbine, pilot John Velazquez had World Approval part of a contested pace following a good break from the rail post and his mount exploded in the lane, leaving the competition in his wake in the matter of a few strides. And the way he dusted some serious European invaders left a fine impression upon me.

“He's a very, very nice horse, I'll tell you that. Maybe they found the distance he wants to do” Velazquez said after riding World Approval for the first time.

I would never compare World Approval with stablemates of the recent past, but his last couple of performances were certainly Tepin-esque given the way he dominated. North America’s top turf horse can lock up the Eclipse Award with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar.

John Mucciolo does the Woodbine Daily Selections for Brisnet.com