Nitrogen reigns once again among the fillies and mares and sets her sights on the Breeders’ Cup
The champion mare drew off to a 2 3/4-length victory in the Beldame Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park, surpassing US$ 3 million in career earnings while putting the finishing touches on her preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) in five weeks' time at Keeneland
ELMONT, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Nitrogen had temporarily stepped out of her division to test herself against top-class males, returning from that bold venture with her reputation completely unsullied. Rejoining her own sex, she simply resumed total control. The champion mare secured a 2 3/4-length victory on Friday in the Beldame Stakes (G2-1,800 m, US$ 250,000) at Belmont Park, executing the exact tune-up trainer Mark Casse envisioned ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro entered off a second-place finish behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, where she set the pace before concluding 4 3/4 lengths adrift of the reigning Horse of the Year.
This time, José Ortiz once again called upon Nitrogen's early speed. Though Donor Advised (Gun Runner) away cleaner from an inside stall, Ortiz was determined to seize the lead, quickly establishing the D. J. Stable colorbearer out front. She covered the opening 400 meters in 23s89, opened up a clear margin through 800 meters in 46s51, and hit the 1,200-meter mark in 1m10s44 with a 4-length cushion over her nearest pursuer.
Ortiz waited until entering the stretch before asking for maximum effort. Donor Advised began to chip away at the lead, briefly making it appear as though the odds-on favorite would be forced into a fight. That proved all the motivation Nitrogen needed.
When her rider set her alight, she responded instantly, extending her stride once more to cross the wire 2 3/4 lengths clear, stopping the clock in 1m48s36 for the 1,800-meter distance.
"She’s incredible. This was what we were hoping for," Casse explained. "The other filly gave her a bit of a challenge, and I liked that. I wanted her to have to work a little today."
Donor Advised maintained second, finishing a massive 13 1/2 lengths ahead of Boutwell Time (Not This Time). Lost Horizon (Into Mischief) finished fourth, while Lika Rolling Stone (Bustin Stones) completed the order of finish.
Targeting the Beldame was a strategic decision aimed entirely at setting up her Breeders’ Cup bid.
Casse had weighed various options for Nitrogen, including the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) won a week earlier by Forever Young (Real Steel), before ultimately electing to keep her against fillies and mares.
"I think this was perfect and exactly what we were looking for. Now we have five weeks. The Breeders’ Cup was our main goal from the very beginning, and hopefully, we can finish the job," the trainer noted.
Jon Green of D. J. Stable echoed that satisfaction: "She checked every single box. We wanted a solid, honest race for at least three-quarters of the way, and then, if possible, for her to finish under a hands-and-heels ride. She seems to have come out of it in great shape, and now we’re just counting down the days."
The victory added US$ 137,500 to Nitrogen's bankroll, pushing her past the US$ 3 million threshold with a record of 9 wins, 6 seconds, and 3 thirds from 18 career starts.
A dominant 12 3/4-length winner of the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) in June prior to her runner-up effort to Sovereignty in the Whitney, the champion hit the wire at the optimal moment.
Nitrogen now has no remaining layovers. On October 31 at Keeneland, the challenge Casse has meticulously planned for months awaits: the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. And her performance in the Beldame leaves little doubt that she will arrive for that test precisely as her team intended.
Comments