Oaklawn’s Apple Blossom Still The Target For Champion Nitrogen

[Wandering Eyes]

Champion Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) still has her sights set on her major spring objective, the GI Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park, despite a hiccup last weekend in Hot Springs, the track said via a press release on Wednesday.

Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said Nitrogen will make her next start in the Apple Blossom Apr. 11 after a third-place finish in Saturday's GII Azeri Stakes.

Tabbed as the 1-5 favorite under regular rider Jose Ortiz, the filly was beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Majestic Oops (Majestic Harbor) in the Azeri, that served as the final major local prep for the Apple Blossom.

Racing over a sloppy, sealed surface, Nitrogen appeared poised to take command late on the second turn, but she couldn't hold off Majestic Oops in the stretch and was caught late by Regaled (Mohaymen).

Nitrogen was North America's champion 3-year-old filly of 2025 and opened her 4-year-old campaign with a victory in the GIII Bayakoa Stakes Feb. 7.

“Jose [Ortiz] said he thought she was much more tired this race than the last one, which, really, from a fitness standpoint, it doesn't make sense, right?” Casse said Tuesday afternoon. “We always thought she would need the first one. She's a big filly and the track was a little funny. Maybe she was just tired.”

The Apple Blossom is a “Win and You're In” for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. Nitrogen, in her final start at 3, finished as the runner-up in the race at Del Mar back in November.

Casse said he “definitely” has a second Apple Blossom candidate in Nerazurri (Protonico), who has won three of four starts at the meeting, including two stakes. Nerazurri's only loss this season at Oaklawn was a runner-up finish behind her stablemate in the Bayakoa.

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