Trainer MARK CASSE choked up moments after watching his star student, NITROGEN battle to victory in the 43rd Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Keeneland on October 31. For a brief moment, Woodbine’s leading trainer had to stop talking during a post race interview. When asked about his emotions, Casse said, “I wanted it for her” and when the interviewer said, ‘well, she did it for you’, Casse said, “she did it for her.”
D.J. Stables’ tough 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of Tiffany Case by Uncle Mo had to use up a bit of early energy after a sluggish start.
Despite apparently cutting her mouth in the post parade, Nitrogen and jockey Jose Ortiz had a comfortable stalking position from the outside. Ortiz moved Nitrogen into contention on the second turn, swept past the early pacesetters Super Corredora and Eunomia and had a 1 ½ length lead at the top of the stretch. Fully Subscribed, the 3-2 second choice in the wagering, was in pursuit on the turn and though Nitrogen drifted in the stretch, could not close the gap.
“I thought she would be a little closer to be honest. But I could see Jose ask her,” Casse said. “It takes her a second to kind of kick in but she’s something.”
Nitrogen reached the wire in 1:49.80 for 1 1/8 miles and paid $3.58, $2.40 and $2.10.
Nitrogen was second in last year’s Distaff at Del Mar to Scylla. This season she won the Grade 3 Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park and was third in the Grade 2 Azeri and second in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom, also at Oaklawn. She was back in the win mode when she took the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Saratoga by more than 12 lengths.
After a short, summer break, Nitrogen was a game second to Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty in the Whitney Stakes (G1) and then romped in the Beldame Stakes (G2) at Belmont in September.
The Distaff was her 10th win in 19 races and she has been second six times and third three times.
Nitrogen, affectionately known as ‘Beans’, began her career at Woodbine, finishing second to Faber in a maiden race on turf and third in the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes.
She has earned $4.1 million.
D.J. Stable, owned by Len Green and son Jonathan, have a 2-year-old half sister to Nitrogren named Sniper. They sold the mare Tiffany Case this past January for $3.2 million. The Greens are also co-breeders of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Heffner.
Casse said Nitrogen will race in 2027 and some major races against the boys will be among her targets.
Jonathan Green (holding trophy) and father Len after Nitrogen won the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky on October 31, 2026. Bill Denver/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup
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