Apprehend sets track record with Century Mile Handicap triumph
Apprehend, who ranks as one of Canada’s top older horses, launched his 6-year-old season with a track-record performance in Saturday night’s $75,000 Century Mile Handicap.
He was a 3 3/4-length winner over Itsallgoodman in the race run at one mile, 70 yards. Apprehend set a track record when he covered the distance on a fast track in 1:39.83.
The Century Mile shared a card with the R.K. Red Smith Handicap won by Big Hug ($2.40).
Apprehend ($3.50) was the 125-pound highweight and was content to settle off the pace set by Ticket to the Top, who took the field through fractions of 23.05 seconds for the opening quarter, 45.83 for the half-mile and 1:10.03 for six furlongs. Apprehend advanced, moved to the fore, and shuttled home through the stretch.
Amadeo Perez was aboard for trainer Barbara Heads.
Apprehend invaded Alberta from British Columbia, where he was the 2024 older horse of the year at Hastings Race Course. He was winning his fifth straight race in the Century Mile, which was his first out since October.
Peter Redekop owns Apprehend, a son of Arrogate who has now won 8 of 15 starts for earnings of $317,062.
Big Hug was a half-length winner over Sunblaze in the Red Smith. It was the 12th career stakes win for Big Hug, who also was winning her second Red Smith.
Big Hug sat just off Maturity Date’s fractions of 22.65 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.31 for the half-mile and 1:10.60 for six furlongs. Big Hug went on to cover the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.40.
Jose Ascenio was aboard the winner for trainer Rick Hedge.
Big Hug is a daughter of Mr. Big who races for Empire Equestrian and Kerredge Farm. She has now won 15 of 29 starts for earnings of $398,821.
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