Nitrogen. (Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire)
Keys Casse exacta in Grade 2 Appalachian Presented by Japan Racing Association
Keeneland Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.—D. J. Stable’s homebred Nitrogen swept to the lead in upper stretch and drew off for a 2¼-length victory over stablemate Vixen in the 37th running of the $500,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association for 3-year-old fillies.
Trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Jose Ortiz, Nitrogen completed the mile on a turf course rated as good in 1:37. It is the fourth Appalachian victory for Casse, whose other winners were Papilio (IRE) in 2023, La Coronel in 2017 and Catch a Glimpse in 2016.
Longshot Fast Market set unopposed fractions of :23.31 and :47.75 as Nitrogen raced in the clear in fifth. On the far turn, Nitrogen began to close in before moving five wide into the stretch where she quickly powered past Fast Market.
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of the Uncle Mo mare Tiffany Case, Nitrogen posted her third consecutive victory and improved her record to 6-3-1-2 and hiked her earnings to $617,804 with Tuesday’s $302,250 check.
Favored in the field of seven, Nitrogen returned $4.40, $2.42 and $2.10. Vixen, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., returned $2.82 and $2.28 and finished 1¼ lengths in front of Fionn, who paid $3.08 to show under Luan Machado.
It was another neck back to Foxtastic with Totally Justified, Fast Market and Table Flirt following in order.
Quotes for the $500,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association
Jose Ortiz (winning jockey of Nitrogen): “Very easy to get her in full stride down the lane. When I asked her to go, I kept her on the outside and then little by little she got into that stride.”
Mark Casse (trainer of the winner and runner-up Vixen): “She’s really good. I just kind of come along for the ride. She’s an amazing filly. I think she’s getting better and better, so we’re going to keep our fingers crossed and hope she stays healthy. She’s got a bright, bright future.”
On future plans for Nitrogen: “The Edgewood (G2 at Churchill Downs on May 2) is next. As long as everything’s good, we’ll go to the Edgewood and try to win that one.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of Vixen): “Beautiful trip. I wish I could have moved earlier but was boxed in for a little bit. After that I got through really clear, and she was running down the lane, so I’m happy with her.”
