For Immediate Release
Saturday, December 8, 2012
APPREHENDER ALTERS RUNNING STYLE, GETS HIS WINNING DUE
OKLAHOMA CITY – Apprehender had finished second and third in the top Remington Park sprint stakes earlier this season, battling for the lead in both, only to come up short. In a solid $40,000 allowance sprint at six furlongs on Saturday night, the 3-year-old gelding stayed away from a lead duel and made a sharp rally from just off the pace to finally gain victory.
Owned by Dream Farm of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and trained by Chris Richard, Apprehender was ridden by Alex Birzer. Previously this season, Apprehender tired to finish third in the $100,000 David M. Vance Sprint in August then just missed by a nose in second while battling for the lead in the $200,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup in late September. After taking a two-month rest, Apprehender was back in action Saturday night and Birzer allowed him to settle off the leaders.
Anthony set the pace while pressured by Flat Black, handling the opening quarter-mile in :21.99 seconds and the half-mile in :44.96. Birzer angled Apprehender wide into the stretch for a clear run where he passed the tiring frontrunners and then collared Que Posse who had made the initial move from just off the pace. In the final sixteenth of a mile, Apprehender took over and had enough left to hit the finish in 1:10.14, a half-length in front of the closing Gold Element.
The wagering favorite at 2-1 odds, Apprehender paid $6 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Gold Element paid $3.60 to place and $2.40 to show. Que Posse held third and returned $2.80 to show.
The win was the fourth from 10 career starts for Apprehender, a Kentucky-bred by Posse from the Stop The Music mare Missy’s Mirage. In four Remington Park attempts, all this season, he has never been off the board with his initial win, two places and one show. The winner’s share of $23,847 moves Apprehender to $170,433.
The 2012 Remington Park Thoroughbred Season will conclude with a special Sunday afternoon card of 10 races on Dec. 9. The $300,000 Springboard Mile, the richest 2-year-old race of the Remington Park season, is the headline event. The first race Sunday is at 1:30pm.
Open daily at 10am for casino gaming and simulcast racing, Remington Park features the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park, home of the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby, to be run for the 25th time on September 29, 2013.
Tracked by over 26,000 fans on Facebook and 3,000 Twitter followers, Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino and is located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.
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Photo Credit: Dustin Orona Photography
For more information, contact:
Dale Day
Dale.day@remingtonpark.com
