LAST YEAR'S WINNER - MORE THAN LOOKS

• Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
• Jockey: Jose Ortiz
• Owner: Victory Racing Partners
• US Tote Win: $15.80
• BETTING STATS
• 2007-2024
• Favourites: 8/18 (44.4%) | Level stake profit +18.2%
• Odds-on Favs: 1/1 (100%) | Level stake profit +80%
• Median winning price: 3.5-1
• 2008-2024 in California
• Favourites: 6/11 (64.5%) | Level stake profit +50.9%
• Odds-on Favs: 1/1 (100%) | Level stake profit +80%
• Median winning price:  2.7-1

By Barry Faulkner

Although not as productive as the Turf, raiders from this side of the Atlantic have won half of the last 18 runnings of the Mile, with More Than Looks equalising the score for the local defenders last year.

Eight outright favourites have won this division (six of the 11 in California), with another four being second in the betting. There have also been four winners at double-figure prices, including three real doozies; Order Of Australia at 73.2-1 in 2020; Court Vision at 64.8-1 in 2011, and Karakontie at 30-1 in 2014.

Run record and class clues

Last year, More Than Looks came into this race with nothing better that a G3 win to his name, becoming just the third winner to take this in the last 18 years without a previous G1 victory. He was also the 11th to arrive following a defeat last time out.

Run styles

With a short run to the first turn on the seven-furlong turf track, a hot pace looks assured due to the early charge to the bend. That has meant that deep-closers have done well here, with late pace at a premium. Both of the last two winners were at the back at halfway.

Age group

More Than Looks became the 11th winner of this race to succeed at the age of five or six, among an even spread across the year groups.

Draw

Although there is such a short distance to the first turn, this has not been detrimental to runners drawn wide, as winners have emerged from across the starting gate.

Guidelines

• Although there have been some eye-popping-priced winners, the betting has generally been a decent guide

• Euros have done well but not as well as in the Turf

• A last-time-out defeat is not a bar to success

• Closers have the best record in the Mile