Oscar Nominated wins Grade 3 Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park

FLORENCE, Ky. (AP) Long shot Oscar Nominated held off Azar by a neck to win the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes Saturday at Turfway Park and earn 50 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby.

Starting from the fifth post position, the Michael Maker-trained chestnut colt stalked a five-wide start in the $500,000 race and looped through the second turn before settling in front. Oscar Nominated continued digging in and was able to outlast fierce late charges from Azar and Surgical Strike, which was edged by a neck for second.

Oscar Nominated earned his second straight win this year and third career victory with two seconds in seven starts.

Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Oscar Nominated covered the 1 1/8-mile synthetic surface in 1:51.12 and paid $49.20, $18 and $11.

Azar paid $9 and $6.40 for place and earned 20 points. Surgical Strike returned $5.40 for show and earned 10 points.