Oaklawn: Officer Alex noses out Bobcat Jim in Bachelor

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Officer Alex caught Bobcat Jim on the wire for a dramatic win in the $75,000 Bachelor for 3-year-olds at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. The six-furlong race was run on a perfect spring afternoon, before an ontrack crowd of 22,361.

Officer Alex ($12.20) settled in fourth in the early stages of the Bachelor, as Bobcat Jim jumped out to the lead and was clear through fractions of 21.51 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.17 for the half-mile. Officer Alex rolled into the stretch four wide, and rallied through the lane to catch Bobcat Jim.

“It all worked out perfect, absolutely perfect,” said Alex Birzer, who rode the winner for trainer Lynn Whiting.

Officer Alex covered the distance on a track rated fast in 1:10.90. He won by a nose, while it was another 1 ¾ lengths back in third to Stormy Holiday.

The win was Officer Alex’s second straight score at Oaklawn, behind a first-level allowance on March 24. Earlier in his career, he won the $75,000 Pennsylvania Nursery at Parx. Whiting said next-race plans for the horse are to be determined. He said Officer Alex would be based next at Churchill Downs.

Officer Alex races for Winning Horses Stable and Choctaw Racing Stable.