Za Approval prevails in Grade 3 Knickerbocker S.

Live Oak Plantation’s homebred Za Approval delivered as the favorite in the Grade 3, $200,000 Knickerbocker S. for 3-year-olds and up on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Coming out of the gate, Za Approval tracked in third behind Plainview, who was loose on the lead after three-quarters in 1:10.90. Za Approval began to cut into the lead inside the quarter pole, rocketing to the lead to finish up with a 1 1/4-length victory.

“It was a good trip,” said rider Joel Rosario “This horse tries hard all the time. I rode him twice in Florida this winter; he finished second and he won, so I had confidence in him. I didn’t want to rush him too much; they were going a little quick. With this horse, every time you ask him, he keeps giving.”

The Knickerbocker was the first start at 1 1/8 miles for Za Approval, who completed the distance over the firm inner turf course in 1:46.51.

Za Approval, trained by Christophe Clement notched his first graded stakes in March at Gulfstream Park when he won the Grade 3 Appleton H., then annexed the Grade 3 Red Bank S. in May at Monmouth Park.

“When I ran him in Grade 1s, he got beat by two of the best milers in the country,” said Clement. “He’s been getting better all of his life. He’s been a great credit to the Live Oak team and Mrs. (Charlotte) Weber because they have been very patient with him, and it’s wonderful when it works out.”

Overall, Za Approval is 7-5-0 in 16 starts. The Knickerbocker victory, worth $120,000, pushed his earnings to $675,345.