Third by 2 1/4 lengths last time out in the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes June 11 and second by a neck in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic May 7, the Northern Afleet gelding got a perfect trip under first-time jockey Florent Geroux and scored a clear victory in the 1 3/8-mile United Nations for trainer Mark Casse.
World Approval stalked longshot pacesetter Cement Clement as he set fractions of :24.29, :50.21, and 1:14.72 through six furlongs, moved to the front in the third and final turn, and held off a late drive by Money Multiplier to secure the win by 1 1/4 lengths. Favored Wake Forest, last-out winner of the Man o' War Stakes, checked in third.
The final time for the 1 3/8 miles was 2:14.66.
Triple Threat, who dwelt at the start, rallied to finish fourth, followed by Can'thelpbelieving, Riviere Du Loup, Mr Maybe, Bigger Picture, Cement Clement, and Noble Road to complete the order of finish.
World Approval paid $7.40 to win. To see an Equibase chart of the race, click here.