By Patrycja Szpyra
In the 145th running of the GI Alabama Stakes, it was Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) who took home the elite level glory at Saratoga.
Entering the race, it was largely billed as a showdown between the 'big three' and it more or less went that way during the running. Nitrogen entered the historic contest fresh off a heartbreaker in the July 5 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational over the course next door where a nose denied her a first Grade I victory. Her tour de force two back June 7 in a washed-off GIII Wonder Again Stakes was what originally inspired trainer Mark Casse to give his turf star a chance over the main track, and put Nitrogen squarely in the talks for a year-end championship honor in the U.S. after she was crowned Canada's champion juvenile filly last season.
Casse may well have gotten his wish with this performance.
Off well, but tasked with tracking stablemate La Cara (Street Sense) as that one zipped to the front, Nitrogen went wide into the first turn as the eager early leader set a slow :24.94 opening quarter, and posted an equally unhurried :49.70 half. With 7-5 favorite Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) watching the action unfold in third behind a 1:13.24 six-furlong split, the top placings were largely unchanged through the final bend but the 2-1 shot was looming as they spun into the lane.
Inhaling La Cara and wandering through the stretch, Nitrogen ultimately had more than enough to hold off Good Cheer, and the fillies gave their sire the exacta in the Grade I contest. Louisiana-bred Margie's Intention (Honor A. P.) came on in the lane to claim third.
“They went pretty slow early, which I thought would help La Cara, but Dylan [Davis] said Jose [Ortiz] was breathing down his throat the entire time,” said Casse. “Dylan knew what he had to do, I never talked or discussed anything with Jose, but I know Nitrogen had enough speed that she was going to be pretty close.”
“I've been coming here since I was 10 years old and the Alabama has always been huge. I can't even explain it. This [winning the Alabama] is all I've ever wanted to do since I was a little boy.”
Casse would not commit either way when asked about a dirt start for Nitrogen, only that he wanted to 'get through today' first and then they'd decide next steps.
Regarding La Cara's performance, Casse conceded that the quarantine which knocked her out of the CCA Oaks probably cost her to an extent. “I think maybe that's a little far for La Cara, but also, in fairness to her, not being able to run in the CCA Oaks [because of a strangles-related quarantine in her barn], probably hurt a little bit.”
Jose Ortiz only had glowing praise for his mount afterwards despite some her late race drifting. “When she gets by herself, she tries to get a little bit lost, but I had a clear lead. Luckily, I was clear and nothing happened. So I'll take it.”
“[The ceiling] can't get any higher–this horse won a Grade I on the dirt now, so it's amazing. Hopefully, she comes back, puts up another couple good few performances and gets 3-year-old filly of the year.”
“This was very impressive, beat some very good horses, and I'd think her next one would be dirt again, but let's see–you are voting, for not only the best 3-year-old, but maybe the best horse,” said Len Green of D J Stable. “Look at the record, look at how many wins, how many stakes wins…that's what you hope for. And of course, we have to give extra carrots to the broodmare because she made the whole thing.”
The Alabama goes to NITROGEN!
She wins the the Grade 1 Alabama presented by @keenelandsales under @jose93_ortiz for trainer @markecasse. pic.twitter.com/00ascYWfUV
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 16, 2025
Pedigree Note:
Out of stakes-placed Tiffany Case, an Uncle Mo half-sister to GSW & GISP Talk Veuve to Me (Violence), Nitrogen is her dam's second to the races and second graded runner. Elder half-sister Love to Shop (Violence) won the Listed Toronto Cup Stakes and was four-times placed at the graded level in Canada. Tiffany Case's most recent offspring is a yearling filly by Gun Runner named Sniper. She did not have a foal in 2025 and was bred to Not This Time for 2026.
This is the immediate female family of SW & MGSP Winning Point (Point Given) as well as Gilded Wings (Gilded Time), who produced a branch of the family that ultimately yielded Chilean Group 1-placed Good Runner (Chi) (Good Samaritan). Further back, this is also the family of English G1 St. Leger-placed Mountain Kingdom and GI Manhattan Handicap victor Cool.
Nitrogen is Medaglia d'Oro's 30th worldwide Grade I winner and his second in 2025 behind Good Cheer.
Saturday, Saratoga
ALABAMA S. PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES-GI, $600,000, Saratoga, 8-16, 3yo, f, 1 1/4m, 2:03.31, ft.
1–NITROGEN, 122, f, 3, 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)
1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-D. J. Stable, LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $330,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo filly & GISP-Can, 10-6-2-2, $1,576,604. *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. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Good Cheer, 122, f, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Wedding Toast (MGISW, $1,419,956), by Street Sense
2nd Dam: Golden Sheba, by Coronado's Quest
3rd Dam: Mari's Sheba, by Mari's Book
O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $120,000.
3–Margie's Intention, 122, f, 3, by Honor A. P.
1st Dam: Playful Dancer, by Into Mischief
2nd Dam: Dance Hall Days, by Seeking Daylight
3rd Dam: Dance Move, by Capote
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($57,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $185,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-WinStar Farm LLC and Tom Mueller; B-Coteau Grove Farms, LLC (LA); T-Brad H. Cox. $72,000.
Margins: 1HF, 6, 6HF. Odds: 2.05, 1.40, 8.60.
Also Ran: La Cara, Queen Azteca, Kinzie Queen.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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