With Approval followed up with a -length win over Alwuhush in the Tidal Handicap on July 7, setting another stakes record in the process. He then finished second behind El Senor in the Sword Dancer Handicap on July 28 before winning an allowance race at Woodbine on August 18. This was his final prep for the Arlington Million, in which he faced a strong field including the 1989 Million winner Steinlen and the 1989 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Prized. With Approval beat both of these but was caught in the final strides by Golden Pheasant. "Inside the eighth-pole, I said to myself, 'It's all yours'," said jockey Craig Perret. "Then I saw Golden Pheasant coming from the outside. We just couldn't keep up."