KY-based More Than Looks’ Mile gives DeVaux first Breeders’ Cup win

MORE THAN LOOKS TAKES FANDUEL BREEDERS’ CUP MILE 

Stakes recap by Breeders’ Cup Notes team. Above: Cherie DeVaux gives Jose Ortiz a hug (Breeders’ Cup/Eclipse SportsWire photo)

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2024) – Victory Racing Partners’ More Than Looks($15.80), last early in the field of 10, rallied strongly in the stretch to post a 3 ¼-length victory over Johannes to win the 41st running of the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF for 3-year-olds and up Saturday afternoon at Del Mar. 

Trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Jose Ortiz, More Than Looks completed the mile over a firm turf course in 1:32.65. It is the first Breeders’ Cup victory for DeVaux and the sixth for Ortiz. 

More Than Looks is a true Kentucky-based horse, stabled at Keeneland and finishing second in Keeneland’s Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile in his prior start. At age 3, More Than Looks won an Ellis Park allowance race and Churchill Downs’ Jefferson Stakes before finishing sixth by a total of two lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Goliad led the field through fractions of :22.73, :45.90 and 1:08.89 while receiving light pressure from Ten Happy Rose (JPN) and Geoglyph (JPN). Heading into the far turn, Ortiz moved More Than Looks off the inside and began picking off horses. Swinging into the stretch six wide but in the clear, More Than Looks quickly overtook the field and coasted to victory. 

Johannes held off favored Notable Speech (GB) by a head to hold second. 

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 victory was worth $1,040,000 to $1,870,715 with a record of 11-5-3-1. 

# # # 

Stakes Quotes: 

Quotes: 

Winning trainer Cherie DeVaux, More Than Looks – “It is amazing … being here with so many friends. It has been a year. Everything hit all at once (when More ThanLooks won). The emotions. 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.  

(On first Breeders’ Cup win): “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.” 

Winning jockey Jose Ortiz, More Than Looks – “I knew I had enough speed leaving the gate, so as soon as I broke, I saw [William] Buick inside of me, so right away, that’s the horse [Notable Speech] I wanted to follow. I either wanted to follow him or Chili Flag or somebody that closes. But I wanted to follow William and it worked out perfect.”  

Trainer Tim Yakteen, second with Johannes – “He ran dynamite. Unfortunately, we were unlucky on the wire, but he showed up. My hat is off to Cherie and her team. Their horse ran a monster. We’re proud of him. He’s a great horse. I was hoping we could cap off our year with a win and get into the championship running, but that’s horse racing, and we’ll regroup.” 

Jockey Umberto Rispoli, second with Johannes – “He ran his race. I’m choked up losing this. 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.” 

Jockey William Buick, third with beaten favorite Notable Speech (GB) – “They went a good pace. 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. 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. I am extremely proud of the whole team. To come over here, it’s tough and very competitive, and to come away with one winner is great. The horses have ran tremendously well, so well done to the team.”