A perfect four-for-four record in 2025 has established Nitrogen as the formidable 1-1 morning-line favorite in this year’s edition of the Grade 2, $300,000 Wonder Again Stakes, scheduled for Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
The accomplished filly will face a talented field of seven rivals as she competes at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf, a distance at which she is undefeated.
Chief among her challengers is the undefeated Laurelin, who puts her perfect three-for-three record on the line while stepping into graded stakes company for the first time.
Also warranting respect is the Chad Brown-trained Opulent Restraint, who brings a significant tactical advantage as the likely pacesetter in a race otherwise lacking front-end speed.
The Field
1. Al Jafara (6-1) – This Irish-bred filly made a striking U.S. debut, rallying from last to first to win at Keeneland in April. That victory was her first start for top trainer Chad Brown, a positive sign for future development. However, this is her first attempt in a stakes race, a significant class test. Her closing running style may be a disadvantage in a field that appears to have very little early pace.
2. May Day Ready (9-2) – A daughter of Tapit, she broke her maiden at first asking on this very turf course and at this distance last summer. She later finished a game second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. This marks her first start of the year following a disappointing trip to Japan. She carries the co-high weight of 123 pounds, giving 3 to 5 pounds to most of her rivals, and like other closers here, the lack of projected pace is a concern.
3. Bessie Abott (20-1) – The most lightly-raced filly in the field with just two starts, she made her U.S. debut finishing second to Al Jafara after experiencing a troubled trip. She showed enough tactical speed in that race to suggest she could be closer to the pace, which would be a major asset here. Having likely needed that last race off an extended layoff, she could show marked improvement.
4. Virgin Colada (10-1) – Another deep closer, her sole victory came over this Saratoga turf course and distance. She was the beaten favorite in her 2025 debut, but now gets more ground to work with, which should suit her running style. A primary concern is that similar rivals have defeated her in her recent stakes appearances, but she was stakes-placed on this course last year.
5. Opulent Restraint (8-1) – She possesses a crucial pace advantage as the apparent lone speed in the race. She tried front-running tactics for the first time in her last start and was narrowly defeated after a game effort. A stakes winner at this distance, she is a neck away from being on a three-race New York turf winning streak. If jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. can control the pace, she could be very difficult to catch.
6. Nitrogen (1-1) – The deserving favorite, this filly is undefeated in four starts this year, all of them graded stakes wins on four different turf courses. Her last two performances earned field-best 88 Beyer speed figures. She has proven herself at this distance with two victories. The challenges are significant, however, as this is her first start in New York and she must carry the co-high weight of 123 pounds.
7. Love You Anyway (20-1) – She enters this race off a maiden victory, which is widely considered one of the toughest class challenges a horse can face. She has been tested against graded stakes company once before and was well-beaten by fellow rival Nitrogen. While she projects to get a good stalking trip behind Opulent Restraint, others in the field are more appealing.
8. Laurelin (5-1) This Irish-bred filly is undefeated in three career starts, all on the turf at Aqueduct. She won her debut at this 1 1/16-mile distance and has shown a powerful closing kick in all her victories. This is her first try in a graded stakes race, and she must overcome a potentially ground-losing outside post position to maintain her perfect record.
Win, Place, Show, Wildcard, and Longshot
Win: (6) Nitrogen (1-1) – Her form is simply too good to ignore. Despite the high weight and being new to Saratoga, her four consecutive graded stakes wins and top speed figures make her the one to beat.
Place: (5) Opulent Restraint (8-1) – In a race begging for a pacesetter, she is poised to control the tempo. That tactical advantage is immense and could carry her all the way to the wire, and she almost held on for the win against similar company in her last start.
Show: (8) Laurelin (5-1) – It’s tough to bet against an undefeated horse. She has done nothing wrong in three starts and possesses a strong late kick. She will be closing ground late and is a logical contender for a top-three finish.
Wildcard: (2) May Day Ready (9-2) – She has back-class, including a runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup. She has already won on this course and at this distance, and if she is ready for a top effort off the layoff, she has the talent to upset the field.
Longshot: (4) Virgin Colada (10-1) – She is a proven performer on the Saratoga turf, with her only win coming here at this distance. She was stakes-placed on this course last year and gets the added distance she seemed to need in her last race. At double-digit odds, she offers value.
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