D. J. Stable’s homebred Nitrogen proved to be in a class of her own, demolishing a compact field in the Grade 3 Wonder Again Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga.
Originally scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the turf, torrential rain forced the race to be moved to a one-mile contest on a sloppy (sealed) main track, resulting in five scratches and leaving a field of three to compete for the $300,000 purse.
The surface change was no issue for the Mark Casse-trained Nitrogen, who, despite being a heralded turf filly, took to the dirt with aplomb in her first attempt on the surface.
Breaking as the heavy 2-5 favorite under jockey Jose Ortiz, Nitrogen settled in second position as her stablemate, Bessie Abott (IRE), set the early fractions of 24.88 for the quarter-mile and 47.89 for the half.
Entering the far turn, Ortiz gave Nitrogen her cue, and she effortlessly ranged up alongside the pacesetter. By the five-sixteenth pole, Nitrogen had taken command and began to pull away from her rivals under a motionless hand ride.
She cruised down the stretch under her own power, widening her advantage with every stride to cross the finish line an astonishing 17 lengths in front. The final time for the mile was 1:36.16.
“She broke good. I sat right behind my stablemate, and I was ready to go,” said Ortiz, who won his third edition of the Wonder Again.
Trainer Mark Casse, who also trains the runner-up, expressed confidence in his filly’s ability to handle the main track. “I had trained her this winter on the dirt, and I was going to run her on the dirt; it just never panned out,” Casse said. “I figured today is the day to try.” The victory marked Nitrogen’s fifth consecutive win.
Bessie Abott (IRE), ridden by Dylan Davis, held on for second after setting the early pace, finishing well clear of the third-place finisher, May Day Ready.
The win boosts Nitrogen’s career earnings to $1,146,604. The bay filly is a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of the Uncle Mo mare Tiffany Case.
Scratched Horse(s): Al Jafara (GB), Laurelin (IRE), Love You Anyway, Opulent Restraint (IRE), Virgin Colada
Fractional Times: 24.88 47.89 1:11.54 1:23.38
Final Time: 1:36.16
Winning Connections
Winner: Nitrogen
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: Mark Casse
Owner: D. J. Stable LLC
Breeder: D. J. Stable, LLC
Bloodline: Bay Filly, by Medaglia d’Oro out of Tiffany Case, by Uncle Mo. Foaled Mar 06, 2022 in Kentucky.
Stallion Info: Medaglia d’Oro stands at Darley’s Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for a 2025 fee of $75,000.
Payouts
Due to the small field size after scratches, only win, Pick 3, and Daily Double wagering was offered.
1st – (6) Nitrogen – Win: $2.80
2nd – (3) Bessie Abott (IRE)
3rd – (2) May Day Ready
Exotics: $1.00 Pick 3 (9-7-6) Paid: $26.50, $1.00 Daily Double (7-6) Paid: $11.80
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