‘Fun To See What She Develops Into': Return To Dirt Possible For Nitrogen Post-Belmont Oaks

Yahoo

03-07-2025

'Fun To See What She Develops Into': Return To Dirt Possible For Nitrogen Post-Belmont Oaks originally appeared on Paulick Report.
After a 17-length romp in the sloppy, off-turf Grade 3 Wonder Again that was just 0.27 seconds slower than the G1 Met Mile, a true dirt race is being considered for standout turf filly Nitrogen, reports Blood-Horse.
Undefeated in five starts this year, Nitrogen is the expected favorite in the G1 Belmont Oaks Invitational on July 5 at Saratoga. Depending on how she performs, the D.J. Stable homebred could target the G1 Alabama Stakes over 1 ¼ miles on dirt.
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"The plan is that if she runs well here, she'll probably come back in the Alabama. It will add a lot of intrigue to that race if she shows up," Casse told Blood-Horse. "I've tried to keep her and La Cara separate, but they will probably meet there. I know Nitrogen would love the mile and a quarter. She's developed a bit of a following now, and it will be fun to see what she develops into, and it would be great for racing to see her do big things."
The Belmont Oaks Invitational is the first Grade 1 offered to 3-year-old fillies on grass in the United States this year. Yet to win a G1, Nitrogen was third in the G1 Natalma and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at two.
The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro out of an Uncle Mo mare is held in high regard by Casse, comparing her to the likes of multiple Grade 1 winners Tepin and Got Stormy, 'At this point in her career, she's much more than those two.'
Read the full report at bloodhorse.com.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.