A bloody but unbowed Apriority beat Zero Rate Policy by a nose in Saturday’s $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes, giving trainer David Fawkes his second 2011 win in the Grade 3 race at Gulfstream Park.

Big Drama, since retired, won the Mr. Prospector in a six-furlong, track-record 1:08.12 when it was run on Jan. 15.

Apriority’s time also was fast, 1:09.28, and he did it after stumbling badly at the start and losing ground to a strong field.

“I thought we were done after he stumbled so bad,” Fawkes said in the winner’s circle after looking at Apriority’s left front foot that was still bleeding from the mishap.

“He ran a courageous race,” the trainer added.

Apriority had a similar cut earlier this year, when he stepped on a nail, and it did not force him to miss any races, Fawkes said.

Gulfstream added December to its race schedule this year and moved the Mr. Prospector and several other stakes ahead several weeks.

Apriority, who officially turns 5 years old on Sunday, is owned by Donald Dizney of Ocala. He spent 2011 as the No. 2 sprinter in Fawkes’ barn behind Big Drama, who was owned by Harold Queen of Ocala.

Apriority’s win in the Mr. Prospector was his first in a graded stakes. He finished 2011 with three wins and three second-place finishes, including two in graded stakes, in nine starts.

On March 5, Apriority won a 6 ½ furlong Gulfstream allowance in a near-track record 1:14.47.

With those past performances, he was the 5-2 co-favorite with three-time 2011 stakes winner Indiano in the Mr. Prospector’s seven-horse field.

Apriority was in the rail position under jockey Luis Saez. He dropped almost to his knees leaving the gate.

Zero Rate Policy led Immortal Eyes by a half-length after a half-mile in a fast 44.74 seconds. Apriority was in fourth near the rail.

Zero Rate Policy and jockey Paco Lopez expanded their lead coming around the turn.

But Apriority then started gaining on the inside. He caught Zero Rate Policy about 20 yards from the wire and went on to win in a photo finish.

Indiano finished third, by a half-length.

Fawkes said that “if everything’s all right,” Apriority’s next race will be the $200,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream on Jan. 28.

That six-furlong race is restricted to Florida-breds. Zero Rate Policy, trained by Terri Pompay, is eligible for a rematch with Apriority.

• The New Year’s Day co-features are a pair of $100,000 stakes for newly turned 3-year-olds.

The inaugural running of the Gulfstream Park Derby is for males, at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. The Old Hat (Grade 3) is six furlongs on dirt for fillies.