Although most of her career has taken place on the turf, Nitrogen proved to be just as adept on the main track, too, as she turned back the challenge of G1 Kentucky Oaks heroine, Good Cheer, in the stretch to win the $600,000 G1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 16.
The three-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly, who was a multiple Graded Stakes winner on the turf prior to the Alabama, earned her first victory at the highest level, and stamped herself as possibly the top sophomore filly in the country.
Nitrogen broke well under jockey Jose Ortiz and raced in second, content to track stablemate and dual G1-winner, La Cara (Street Sense), through a slow opening quarter of :24.94. La Cara was still leading at the half-mile marker, with Nitrogen biding her time in second and Good Cheer tracking that pair from third.
Heading into the stretch, Nitrogen swept past La Cara to take the lead, and despite wandering through the stretch, comfortably held off a stubborn Good Cheer to win by one-and-a-half lengths. Margie’s Intention closed late to take third.
Nitrogen was bred in Kentucky by her owner, D.J. Stable LLC, and is out of the mare, Tiffany Case, a Stakes-placed daughter of Uncle Mo. In addition to Nitrogen, Tiffany Case is also the dam of Love to Shop (by Violence), winner of the Listed Toronto Cup and second in both the G2 Bessarabian Stakes and G3 Ontario Fashion Stakes.
Nitrogen is the third G1 winner in 2025 for her sire, Medaglia d’Oro, joining Good Cheer (Kentucky Oaks) and Spirit of St Louis (G1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic, G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational). Medaglia d’Oro is also the sire of 2025 Graded Stakes winners East Avenue (G3 Matt Winn S.) and Ballerina d’Oro (G3 Gazelle S.).
