Oscar Nominated rallies to capture Gulfstream's W. L. McKnight

Trained by Mike Maker, Oscar Nominated ($9.40) was rated off a slow pace set by Infinite Wisdom, who ran the first mile on an uncontested lead in 1:42.15 under Frankie Dettori. Jose Ortiz settled Oscar Nominated in fourth before making a making at three-wide move on the far turn that carried him to a short lead at the top of the stretch. The multiple graded-stakes winner continued on to score by a half-length over late-charging Nessy. Bullard’s Alley, the 2-1 favorite in a field of nine, raced in traffic throughout the race and finished third, a nose further back.

“I wasn’t expecting to break so good but wanted my horse to relax," Ortiz said. "The pace was a little slow, so he was a little keen the first half mile, but when I got him to relax and asked him to go, he did.”

Oscar Nominated, a 5-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy, ran 1 ½ miles over a firm course in 2:30.08.       

“I was looking forward to it," Maker said. "He had a hard campaign last year and after the Red Smith he needed a little freshening. It paid off today.”

Source: Gulfstream Park news release