Nitrogen and Classic Q Defy History in a Fearless Gamble by Mark Casse

The trainer will look this Saturday to repeat a formula that made him a specialist: pitting mares against males in top-level stakes. Nitrogen (photo) will target the Whitney Stakes (G1), while Classic Q will aim to capture the Fourstardave Handicap (G1), two daunting challenges that could elevate their respective legacies even further

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York.— In an era when racing careers are often managed with extreme caution, Mark Casse continues to embrace the toughest road. The Hall of Fame trainer will once again challenge convention this Saturday at Saratoga, saddling two of his star mares against the males in two of the most prestigious events of the North American summer.

On one hand, champion Nitrogen will look to make history in the Whitney Stakes (G1), contested over 1,800 meters on the main track, while Classic Q will attempt to replicate the feat achieved by Got Stormy (Get Stormy) in the Fourstardave Stakes (G1), the signature turf mile of the meet.

Should Nitrogen triumph, she will become the first mare to win the Whitney since the legendary Personal Ensign(Private Account) in 1988. Before her, the feat had only been accomplished by Black Maria (Black Toney), Bateau(Man O'War), Esposa (Espino), Gallorette (Challenger), and the remarkable Lady's Secret (Secretariat).

For Casse, however, the risk has never been an issue: "I'm old school," summarized the trainer.

"I've always been a little different. There are a lot of factors you analyze, and in some cases, I feel these mares have already accomplished everything they can against their own sex. I don't like staying in the comfort zone. I have no problem stepping out of the box. If you're afraid to lose, you're never going to win."

Over the last decade, the horseman has established a proven track record of beating males with fillies and mares. Dixie Strike (Dixie Union), My Conquestadory (Artie Schiller), Lexie Lou (Sligo Bay), Catch a Glimpse (City Zip), Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro), and, above all, the brilliant Tepin (Bernstein), all defeated males under his conditioning.

It is precisely Tepin who serves as the blueprint inspiring Nitrogen's campaign today. Winner of the Alabama Stakes(G1) at Saratoga in 2025 and victorious this year in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), the daughter of Medaglia d'Orohas already proven to be one of the top mares in the nation. Yet Casse understands that reaching true immortality requires something more.

"Nitrogen is considered a great mare, but to become a true legend...", he trailed off before completing the thought.

"Tepin is already in the Hall of Fame. One of the reasons was beating the males and winning the Breeders' Cup. If possible, I would love to see Nitrogen in the Hall of Fame one day, but to get there, continuing to beat fillies isn't going to be enough."

The situation for Classic Q, a daughter of Classic Empire, is somewhat different, though guided by the same logic. A specialist over the turf mile and recent winner of the Just a Game Stakes (G1), she finds few opportunities at that level restricted solely to fillies and mares during the summer. Thus, Casse turns his eyes back toward the Fourstardave, the same race where Got Stormy shone for his barn in 2019 and 2021.

"When you have a top turf miler, there aren't many options available. So we thought: 'Why not try against the males?'" he explained.

The Canadian conditioner also emphasized that these decisions are only possible thanks to the trust of his owners.

"Not every owner is willing to take that step. We talk a lot, analyze every option, and ultimately they make the decision. My wife always says something that perfectly sums up our philosophy: 'Our job is to lay out the runway; they pilot the plane.'"

With both the Whitney and the Fourstardave serving as "Win and You're In" qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup Classic(G1) and Breeders' Cup Mile (G1), respectively, the sporting reward is already immense. But for Casse, an even greater prize remains in sight.

"If Nitrogen wins the Whitney, I think that puts her right into the Hall of Fame," he stated.

True to his style, he concluded with a smile: "Of course, if she runs poorly, everyone will say I was a fool... but what can you do?"