KING COTTON STAKES

Victory clutched by Apprehender

— 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 1 2/4 lengths ahead of Laurie’s Rocket, who was followed by Bet the Power, Hamazing Destiny and Ready for More.

Hamazing Destiny is co-owned 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 1/2-length 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 4-year-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 11/2 lengths in mid-stretch, 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.

Sports, Pages 21 on 01/27/2013

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