The Leading Lady Returns: Nitrogen Kicks Off ’26 Campaign with Bayakoa Victory

[Wandering Eyes]

The betting public thought it would be a welcome parade, and Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) did not let them down, striding home much the best in the GIII Bayakoa Stakes to kick off her 2026 campaign at Oaklawn.

In no rush from the outside as 40-1 longshot Rose Palace (Palace) showed the way though an opening quarter in :24.02, and a half in :48.33, Nitrogen improved her position from that overland route. Confidently handled through six panels in 1:12.86, Nitrogen was still in cruise control as they swung for home and her stablemate Nerazurri (Protonico) took a tentative lead.

Swapping to the wrong lead in midstretch when Jose Ortiz asked the champion 3-year-old filly to keep her mind on running, she strolled in with air to spare in a final time of 1:43.53. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Quietside (Malibu Moon) battled gamely to get up for third.

Sovereign Award 2024 Champion 2-year-old Filly, Eclipse Award 2025 Champion 3-year-old Filly. O/B-DJ Stables; T-Mark Casse.

 

NITROGEN with all her class wins her 4YO debut in the G3 Bayakoa at Oaklawn Park! @jose93_ortiz was up for trainer @markecasse.

#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/GTefrWn9sg

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) February 7, 2026

Saturday, Oaklawn
BAYAKOA S.-GIII, $250,000, Oaklawn, 2-7, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:43.53, ft.
1–NITROGEN, 119, f, 4, by Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Tiffany Case (SP), by Uncle Mo
2nd Dam: Biblical Point, by Point Given
3rd Dam: Bibical Sense, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
O/B-D. J. Stable, LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse; J-Jose L. Ortiz.
$146,250. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo filly & GISP-Can,
Ch. 3yo filly & GISW-U.S., 13-7-4-2, $2,192,854. *1/2 to
Love to Shop (Violence), SW & MGSP, $240,778.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free
Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Nerazurri, 121, f, 4, Protonico–Beautiful Liar, by Candy
Ride (Arg). O-Michael H. Eiserman; B-Porta Pia Stables LLC
(KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $48,750.
3–Quietside, 119, f, 4, Malibu Moon–Benner Island, by
Speightstown. O/B-Shortleaf Stable, Inc. (KY); T-John
Alexander Ortiz. $24,375. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by
Hagyard'
Margins: 2 3/4, 6 1/4, 3HF. Odds: 0.30, 4.60, 4.10.
Also Ran: In Just My Heels, Miss Authentic, Rose Palace. Scratched: Peignoir.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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