Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Victory clutched by Apprehender
HOT SPRINGS — It took Apprehender exactly one year to become a stakes winner.
Leading almost every step under Alex Birzer, Apprehender held off Alsvid by a length to win the $60,000 King Cotton Stakes for older sprinters Saturday afternoon at Oaklawn Park.
Alsvid, the 5-2 favorite in the six-horse field, finished 2 1 /4 lengths ahead of Laurie’s Rocket, who was followed by Bet the Power, Hamazing Destiny and Ready for More.
Hamazing Destiny is coowned by Westrock Stables LLC (Joe and Scott Ford of Little Rock).
Apprehender paid $8.20, $3.40 and $2.60. Alsvid paid $ 3.40 and $ 2.40. Laurie’s Rocket paid $3.20.
A 4-year-old Posse gelding, Apprehender covered 6 furlongs over a fast track in a meet-best 1:10.08.
The victory was Apprehender’s fifth in 11 starts overall, pushing his earnings to $206,433 for Iowa residents John and Kris Robson.
Apprehender was purchased for $21,000 at the
Keeneland September Yearling sale. The Robsons recouped the amount when Apprehender scored a 7 1⁄2length debut victory Jan. 26, 2012, at Oaklawn.
Apprehender subsequently ran in three stakes last year, but finished second twice and third in the other.
One runner-up finish was by a nose in the $200,000 Remington Park Sprint Championship on Sept. 30 at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.
He finally got the job done in his 4year-old debut.
“He’s made a nice transition from 3 to 4,” trainer Chris Richard said.
“He’s such a nice horse to be around. He gives you a shot every time you lead him over.
“Alsvid is a very nice horse. We’re ecstatic to beat him.”
Apprehender, who broke from post 2 on Saturday, maintained a narrow advantage through a :22.32 opening quarter and a half-mile in :45.76.
After breaking from the rail, Alsvid was bottled up behind the leader around the turn before finally finding a clear path on the outside in the upper stretch.
But Apprehender, clear by 1⁄2 lengths in midstretch, held Alsvid safe in the run to the wire.
Jockey Cliff Berry said Alsvid ran well and credited Birzer for his tactics aboard Apprehender.
“Alex rode a great race,” Berry said.
“He did just enough to keep us in. I wish we had had a different post position.”
Richard said the major spring objective for Apprehender is the $250,000 Grade III Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 13.