Apriority Prepares for Mr. Prospector

Apriority, winner of the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) two years ago, will go postward in next Saturday’s renewal of the $100,000 contest at Gulfstream Park. The classy 6-year-old had gone winless in his next 12 starts, but finally broke that skein with a five-length success under optional claiming conditions at Gulfstream on November 24.             

“It was a confidence booster,” trainer David Fawkes confirmed. “He’s been training really well since.”            

While Apriority had been battling foot issues prior to his most recent start, recent shoe changes have him back in form. Fawkes tried him on the turf on October 26, but the Florida-bred didn’t get involved.

“They went just a little too quick early,” Fawkes said. “He made a run, but they weren’t backing up.”

Apriority has recorded two sharp drills in December, most recently covering five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 last Sunday.             

“He worked really good that day,” Fawkes added. “He will breeze again [tomorrow] and we’ll run next weekend.”            

Joe Bravo, who rode Apriority for the first time last month, will have the mount again in the Mr. Prospector.             

“We’ll see how the race sets up for him, but I like to let the jock just ride his race,” Fawkes remarked.            

Apriority has bankrolled over $500,000 to date for owner/breeder Donald Dizney. He has won six of 30 career starts, with four of those victories coming at Gulfstream.