Oaklawn: Oscar's Hope upsets Ozark Stakes; Ewing is 6th

Oscar’s Hope swept to the lead in the midstretch en route to a 1 1/2-length upset victory in the $150,000 Ozark Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters Monday at Oaklawn.

Oscar’s Hope, who was ridden by Luis Saez, denied dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse his ninth stakes victory at the 2025-26 Oaklawn meeting that began Dec. 12. Casse had the 3-5 favorite in Ewing, but the Grade 2 winner, previously unbeaten in two starts, was never a factor after an awkward start and finished sixth in his 3-year-old debut.

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Tiz Mary’s Comet, who led throughout much of the race, finished second, one length ahead of Swung. Chad Allan, Gnome, Ewing and My Dream Zapper completed the order of finish. Dirty Rich and Extract’s Arrow were scratched, reducing the starting field to seven.

Oscar’s Hope, from post 7, stalked Tiz Mary’s Comet and Swung through a half-mile in :45.37 before pouncing on the front-runners with a three-wide move turning for home. Oscar’s Hope struck the front passing the eighth pole and completed 6 furlongs over a fast track in 1:10.34.

Oscar’s Hope, the 5-2 second choice, paid $7.20, $4.40, and $4. Tiz Mary’s Comet paid $6.40 and $5.60. Swung paid $5.40. Trained by Tom Amoss and owned by Michael McLoughlin, Oscar’s Hope was cutting back to a sprint after finishing eighth in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 3. The 1 1/16-mile Smarty Jones was Oaklawn’s first Kentucky Derby qualifying race.

The Ozark was the fourth victory in seven lifetime starts for Oscar’s Hope, increasing his earnings to $323,434. He won the Jean Lafitte Stakes on Nov. 26 at Delta Downs in his final start at 2. Oscar’s Hope was saddled by Chris Richard, who oversees Amoss’ Oaklawn division.