approval springs mile surprise

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Miesque's Approval was a surprise winner as the seven European raiders failed to sparkle in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

The seven-year-old, trained by Marty Wolfson and ridden by Eddie Castro, burst through the pack in the final furlong.

The 25-1 shot comfortably held Aragorn with Badge Of Silver in third to make it a clean sweep for the home-trained runners.

Silent Name and Badge Of Silver took the field along with Echo Of Light and Ad Valorem close up.

Several horses had chances as they turned for home and it was Miesque's Approval who had the best turn of foot.

Sleeping Indian fared best of the European raiders in fourth with Rob Roy fifth.

It looked a rough race behind with Aussie Rules one of the horses hampered in the straight as he tried to make his move.

Castro said: "I am very happy and I would like to thank Marty Wolfson and the owners Live Oak Plantation.

"In the stretch I knew I had to pass a load of horses but he did it well to win."

Wolfson recalled how he asked Charlotte Weber, of Live Oak Plantation if he could trainer Miesque's Approval.

He said: "I had run several of my horses against him over the years. He was a very good young horse but his form just went off.

"I just asked her if she would give me a chance and she's been wonderful and I appreciate everything she has done for me."

Alex Solis, rider of Sleeping Indian, said: "I had to pull him back in what was a rough race and if I had had any luck at all, I would have been second."

Aussie Rules eventually finished eighth and trainer Aidan O'Brien commented: "He had a tough draw on the outside and could not get any cover in the race."

Araafa was a place behind in ninth and his trainer Jeremy Noseda said: "John Velazquez thought he had plenty of horse under him turning in but the horse just flattened out at the quarter pole."

Jamie Spencer partnered Ad Valorem to finish in arrears and felt the four-year-old had just run out of steam.

He said: "Everything was going well, I was in front and thought I had plenty of horse but he just died on me."

Dettori, rider of Echo Of Light, added: "He was a bit fresh and didn't fire at the end."