After a pair of fast-closing seconds to start his belated 2024 campaign, More Than Looks scored a new career high in Saturday’s $1.84 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar.
The 6.90-1 shot went last to first to give trainer Cherie DeVaux her first Breeders’ Cup victory and sire More Than Ready a record-tying eighth win.
More Than Looks was exemplifying the handicapping angle of third off the layoff, but he also had a fairer setup than in his prior starts. The Victory Racing Partners color-bearer was up against it in his comeback in the Aug. 11 Fourstardave H. (G1) at Saratoga. Sidelined by injury since his sneaky sixth in last year’s Mile at Santa Anita, he also had no pace support and accordingly no chance of catching the perfect-trip Carl Spackler. Last time in the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland, Carl Spackler went wire to wire, and More Than Looks was a sharper second.
“We always had the thought that three races in, we were going to land on the Breeders’ Cup after this whole injury thing,” said Anthony Bartolo of Victory Racing Partners. “So for him, the way he was coming into it form-wise, we just needed some speed up front. In the Coolmore, there was no speed. We almost got there.
“With this, if there was a little speed up front, we felt like we could run them down. We truly always felt he was the best turf miler in the country.”
A strong pace in the Mile, over a turf course more conducive to closers, set the stage for a total form reversal. Patiently handled by Jose Ortiz, More Than Looks found his comfort zone at the back as Goliad sped through fractions of :22.73, :45.90, and 1:08.89.
Japanese shipper Ten Happy Rose chased in second and made a bold bid for glory entering the stretch. Fellow stalkers Carl Spackler and Geoglyph were outpaced, while leading local miler Johannes surged into contention and 2.30-1 favorite Notable Speech tried to threaten in deep stretch.
Then More Than Looks began to unwind on the outside and engulfed them all in the shadow of the post. Polishing off the mile in 1:32.65, he was within hailing distance of Obviously’s 12-year-old course record of 1:32.10.
Johannes was denied by three-quarters of a length in second. Notable Speech, who was trying to become an incredible fourth straight Mile winner for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, was another head away in third.
Umberto Rispoli, the regular rider of Johannes, was gutted by coming so close.
“He ran his race. I’m choked up losing this,” Rispoli said. “I can’t complain about my trip. I had the trip I wanted. Honestly, he’s a great horse. It’s been an incredible journey, and he’s still learning a little bit. But he’s a fighter, and it was a painful loss.”
Notable Speech’s rider, William Buick, knew that Johannes was the right one to follow as the race unfolded.
“I followed Johannes. I thought I had a pretty good trip and thought he ran a super race. First time on a track like this. I was very happy with his run,” Buick said.
“To be honest, I thought it was between the two of us (Notable Speech and Johannes), but the winner came with a wet sail on the outside. I think that just showed that the pace was on early and it was always going to develop from the back, where we were. I followed Umberto (Rispoli) and Johannes, and I knew he would take me where I needed to be, so he’s ran a great race.”
Ten Happy Rose checked in fourth in the blanket finish, trailed by Geoglyph, Carl Spackler, Chili Flag, Porta Fortuna, Goliad, and Win for the Money. The European challenge was reduced by the scratches of Ramatuelle and Diego Velazquez.
More Than Looks sports a mark of 11-5-3-1, and his first Grade 1 trophy made him a millionaire with earnings of $1,870,715. The dark bay was a promising turf sophomore last term, sweeping from well back to take the Manila (G3) at Belmont Park and the Jefferson Cup at Churchill Downs. More Than Looks also rallied for third to Spa aficionado Carl Spackler in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2).
Circumstances aligned for him to beat Carl Spackler for the first time at Del Mar.
“Redemption is a big deal,” Bartolo said. “With his running style, which is difficult, (as a) closer, everything has to kind of fall into play, right? We know he likes a fast track, a fast turf, a firm turf. Basically a couple times, he got a little bit of a softer ground, going without speed in front of him.
“When it all came into play and lined up, Jose (Ortiz), having a jock ride a horse back-to-back was a big deal because we haven’t had that prior. He knew the horse. A fantastic ride.”
DeVaux likewise commended Ortiz’s role in the victory.
“The horse is a little difficult to ride. He doesn’t get early position, but Jose did a great job of getting him settled and getting him out.
“We have had a lot of faith in him from the beginning,” DeVaux added of More Than Looks, “but things have not gone exactly to plan. The ownership group has been extremely patient. All the credit goes to More Than Looks.”
Bred by Hinkle Farms in Kentucky, More Than Looks sold for $135,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. His dam, the stakes-winning Harlan’s Holiday mare Ladies’ Privilege, is a full sister to multiple Grade 2 scorer Takeover Target. This is the further family of multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Critical Eye.
Check out 2024 Breeders’ Cup News and Notes at TwinSpires.com.
