Nitrogen beats Good Cheer to the punch in Alabama

Aug 16, 2025 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Nitrogen holds off Good Cheer in the Alabama at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Good Cheer was favored to add Saturday’s $600,000 Alabama (G1) to her resume, but she could not catch D. J. Stable’s homebred Nitrogen in the Saratoga feature. Under a well-judged ride by Jose Ortiz, the Mark Casse trainee struck the front turning for home and held sway by 1 1/2 lengths.

Nitrogen, last year’s Canadian champion two-year-old filly, has hitherto been a top performer on the turf. Indeed, her major turf wins include the Edgewood (G2) on Oaks Day at Churchill Downs. By showcasing her talent at the elite level on dirt, she has put herself into the discussion for a U.S. Eclipse Award this season.

Good Cheer was the undisputed divisional leader through the Kentucky Oaks, where she extended her career record to 7-for-7. She lost her unbeaten status when fifth in the Acorn (G1) last time out, over a sloppy Saratoga surface that she didn’t enjoy as much as Churchill.

With a fast track in the Alabama, bettors sent Good Cheer off as the 7-5 favorite. But this time she was foiled by the lack of pace that played into the hands of Nitrogen.

Dispatched as the 2.05-1 second choice, Nitrogen had romped in her only prior dirt start, the June 7 Wonder Again (G3) at Saratoga. Yet that race was originally scheduled for turf, and it was only switched to the main track because of rain. Nitrogen coasted over just two remaining rivals in the slop that day. The Alabama would be the acid test of how well she could compete with the best dirt fillies.

The other main player was Nitrogen’s stablemate from the Casse barn, La Cara, who was last seen upsetting the Acorn. La Cara, the 2.85-1 third choice, hoped to carry her speed over 1 1/4 miles in the Alabama.

As La Cara got away with slow fractions of :24.94, :49.70, and 1:13.24, Nitrogen was tracking in second. Good Cheer raced another couple of lengths back in third, and that proved to be an unbridgeable gap.

Nitrogen was the first to make her move from her advantageous position. Rolling past the tiring La Cara, the big bay forged clear and maintained control despite drifting around in the stretch.

Good Cheer then offered her rally, altering course to the inside as Nitrogen meandered outside. But the winner was too strong, giving dual Hall of Famer Casse his first Alabama trophy.

Both Nitrogen and Good Cheer are daughters of outstanding sire Medaglia d’Oro, the 2002 Travers (G1) winner. Medaglia d’Oro is now responsible for three Alabama heroines, after the brilliant Songbird (2016) and Elate (2017).

The versatile Nitrogen wins the G1 Alabama! 🏆✨🎪@markecasse trains the 3YO filly and @jose93_ortiz was aboard! pic.twitter.com/EpIoi2gcRB

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 16, 2025

Another six lengths back in third came Margie’s Intention, Good Cheer’s stablemate from the Brad Cox barn. La Cara rounded out the superfecta in fourth. Next came UAE Oaks (G3) winner Queen Azteca, a recent arrival from Scandinavia who will remain stateside. Kinzie Queen trailed.

Nitrogen, who clocked 2:03.31, paid $6.10. The Alabama advanced her record to 10-6-2-2, $1,576,604.

Placed in last year’s Natalma (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), Nitrogen was honored as Canada’s top two-year-old filly despite still being a maiden. She went on a winning spree this campaign, racking up five straight in the Ginger Brew S. at Gulfstream Park, the Florida Oaks (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, the Appalachian (G2) at Keeneland, as well as the Edgewood and Wonder Again. Her skein ended with a photo-finish loss in the July 5 Belmont Oaks (G1), contested this summer at Saratoga, in course-record time.

With her surface versatility, Nitrogen will have no shortage of options going forward.

Nitrogen is bred along lines similar to reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, the 2024 Kentucky Oaks star. While Nitrogen is by Medaglia d’Oro, Thorpedo Anna is by Medaglia d’Oro’s son Fast Anna. Both are out of mares by champion and influential sire Uncle Mo.