Apriority Once Again a Winner
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Apriority, winless in 12 starts since taking the Mr. Prospector Stakes (gr. III) on Dec. 31, 2011, returned to the winner's circle Nov. 24 after a five-length victory in a $41,500 optional claiming allowance test at Gulfstream Park.
Donald Dizney's 6-year-old homebred son of Grand Slam ran six furlongs in 1:09.45 under jockey Joe Bravo.
"I saw the horse in the paddock and he looked phenomenal. I see the horse every day, but he walked into the paddock and presented himself well. He showed himself today," said trainer David Fawkes.
Fawkes credited the work of blacksmith Mark Dewey and assistant trainer Todd Acker with helping Apriority regain his winning form. The victory improved his record to 30-6-8-2 with earnings totaling $504,008.
"I did some shoe changes on him. I have to give the blacksmith a lot of credit," Fawkes said. "My assistant really worked diligently on his feet, and I think that's what we've been fighting.
Florida-bred Apriority is eligible for the $100,000 Sunshine State at Gulfstream on Dec. 8.
"I don't know if we have time to make the Sunshine race, but we'll see," Fawkes said.
Apriority paid $21.20 to win. Duty Blues, a 57-1 shot ridden by Jose Garcia, finished second, a nose ahead of 6-5 favorite Travelin Man and jockey Edgar Prado. Reveron, making his first start since finishing second in the 2012 Florida Derby (gr. I), raced wide in a sixth-place finish.