Za Approval Headlines The Field For The $150,000 Forbidden Apple Stakes

Installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite for Belmont Stakes winning trainer Christophe Clement, Za Approval will be making his first start since a third place finish in the Poker Handicap (G3) in May. While winless this year, the multiple graded stakes winning millionaire has seven career victories, two of which have come on the Belmont turf. Joel Rosario will be back aboard the grey son of Ghostzapper.

New York-bred gelding will try to continue his success

Second choice at 2-1 is Kharafa, a New York-bred son of Kitalpha for New England Hall of Fame trainer Timothy Hills and the ownership of Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch. The five-year-old gelding was last seen winning against restricted state-bred company in the Kingston Stakes at Belmont Park. Javier Castellano will be in the irons after piloting him to victory last time out. Five of his seven career wins have come at Belmont Park.

Bill Mott will send out Bio Pro with John Velazquez 

Also in the field is Bio Pro, tabbed at 9-2 on the morning line for Bill Mott. John Velazquez will be back aboard and rode him to a runner-up performance against allowance/optional claiming competition two starts back. In his last start, he went gate to wire on the turf under Joel Rosario to earn his fifth career victory. The six-year-old son of War Front won the Lure Stakes at Santa Anita last October.