Nitrogen Fulfills Mark Casse’s Dream in the Alabama at Saratoga

The D. J. Stable filly made a decisive breakthrough on the dirt, giving her trainer a first victory in Saratoga’s most prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies

Nitrogen (left) got the better of the impressive Good Cheer at Saratoga / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- The Alabama Stakes (G1, 1 1/4 miles, dirt, $600,000) represents the pinnacle of the Saratoga season for three-year-old fillies, and this Saturday it produced a heroine in Nitrogen. The Medaglia d’Oro filly, bred in Kentucky and racing for D.J. Stable, showcased her immense talent while giving Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse a long-awaited victory he had dreamed of since childhood.

“I’ve been coming to Saratoga since I was 10, and the Alabama has always been huge for me. I can’t explain what it means—it’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid,” said an emotional Casse after finally achieving the goal.

Nitrogen had already excelled over turf in the spring, capturing the Florida Oaks (G3), Appalachian Stakes (G2), and Edgewood Stakes (G2), along with a remarkable 17-length triumph in the Wonder Again (G3) when the race was switched to dirt. After losing by a nose in the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1T) to Fionn (Twirling Candy), she exacted immediate revenge by stepping up in class and dominating over dirt.

With José Ortiz in the irons—his partner for her last eight starts—Nitrogen stalked early pacesetter and dual G1 winner La Cara (Street Sense), who posted splits of 24.94, 49.70, and 1:13.24. Meanwhile, favorite Good Cheer (Medaglia D’Oro), winner of the Kentucky Oaks, loomed under Luis Saez, while Margie’s Intention (Honor A.P.) tried to stay in touch.

In the stretch, Nitrogen lengthened her powerful stride, easily passed La Cara, and held off a late charge from Good Cheer, who came inside but could not overtake her. The final time was 2:03.31, with Nitrogen winning by 1 1/2 lengths. Six lengths back in third came Margie’s Intention, followed by La Cara, Queen Azteca (Sharp Azteca), and Kinzie Queen (McKinzie).

“I wanted to position her comfortably on the backstretch, and I did. When I moved her, she shifted gears and stayed strong to the wire,” explained Ortiz, celebrating his fourth Alabama win after three consecutive victories between 2017 and 2019.

With this triumph, Nitrogen improves her record to 10-6-2-2, earning $330,000 and cementing her status among the top three-year-olds on the continent. “She’s a special filly; her record speaks for itself. Today she beat high-quality rivals and proved she can be among the best, not just within her generation,” said Len Green of D.J. Stable.

For Casse, who had already enjoyed multiple high-level victories during the meet, this conquest stands as one of the crowning moments of his career. Nitrogen, meanwhile, has a future that now shines as brightly over Saratoga’s dirt as it did on the turf.