Black Onyx took a big step toward the Kentucky Derby, winning the $550,000 Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park on Saturday.
Sterling Racing's 16-1 long shot ridden by Joe Bravo surged from eighth at the start and cleared tiring Taken by the Storm inside the furlong marker to take control down the stretch for his third victory in five career starts.
Black Onyx ran 1-1/8 miles on Turfway's synthetic track in 1 minute, 51.98 seconds and returned $33.40 on a $2 win bet.
Uncaptured, the second choice at 3-1, was 1-1/2 lengths back in second in his debut with Miguel Mena aboard. Giant Finish, ridden by Jose L. Espinoza, finished a length back in third.
Black Onyx earned 50 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings, and trainer Kelly Breen planned to pay the $6,000 Triple Crown entry fee for a horse that wasn't an early nominee.
''He's proven he's a multi-talented horse,'' Breen said. ''He's won on dirt, on turf, and now on Polytrack. The plan was — if he won — that we wouldn't run again until the Derby. His next start will be the Derby.''
