Victory Racing Partners’ Kentucky-bred More Than Looks rallied resolutely in the stretch to post a 3 ¼-length victory over Johannes in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar.
Goliad led the field through splits of :22.73, :45.90, and 1:08.89. Heading into the far turn, Jose Ortiz moved More Than Looks off the inside and began passing foes one by one. Swinging into the stretch six wide, More Than Looks collared the leaders close to home to win by three-quarters of a length. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, More Than Looks completed the mile over a firm turf course in 1:32.65. It marked the first Breeders’ Cup victory for DeVaux.
“It’s amazing being here with so many friends,” said DeVaux. “It has been a year. Everything went as well as we could have hoped for. The horse is a little difficult to ride. He doesn’t get early position, but Jose (Ortiz) did a great job of getting him settled and getting him out.”
DeVaux Notches First Breeders’ Cup Score With More Than Looks
Commenting on her first ever Breeders’ Cup win, DeVaux added, “I don’t know how to say it in words. It’s unbelievable. We have had a lot of faith in him from the beginning, but things have not gone exactly to plan. The ownership group has been extremely patient. All the credit goes to More Than Looks.”
More Than Looks is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of More Than Ready out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Ladies’ Privilege. The $1,040,000 winner’s share of the lucrative purse swelled his lifetime bankroll to $1,870,715 and improved his record to 11-5-3-1. Hinkle Farms bred More Than Looks in Kentucky.