DJ Stable announced Tuesday that Alabama Stakes winner Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) will face older horses in her next start, targeting the GI Spinster on Oct. 5 at Keeneland.
Co-owner Jon Green revealed the decision on his Rail Talk podcast, citing several factors that influenced their racing strategy for the talented 3-year-old filly.
“There are a number of factors that played into our decision,” Green told the TDN. “Number one, we wanted to give Nitrogen the proper amount of time. The Alabama took a lot out of her. The competition was tough. There were a couple of Grade I winners in there. There was also the distance and the heat. She’s had to train in the heat over the last few weeks. All those things took a lot out of her. She gave every ounce of effort she had to win that race and we wanted to give her a little extra time between races.”
The connections believe Keeneland’s surface better suits Nitrogen’s racing style. Trainer Mark Casse plans to have her on-site three weeks before the race to acclimate to the track.
“Number two, we feel like the Keeneland racetrack is probably more appropriate for her racing style. Mark (Casse) can have her down there three weeks before the race, train over that racetrack and then go right from her stall to the paddock, which I think is an advantage,” Green explained.
Logistics also factored into the decision, with Green noting the convenience of direct transportation to the Breeders’ Cup.
“Three, if we’re good enough, there’s a flight that goes to San Diego straight from Kentucky for the Breeders’ Cup horses. That will make it easier to get her to the West Coast that way.”
The team sees this as the perfect opportunity to enhance Nitrogen’s credentials against top competition.
“Number four, and probably most importantly, we feel like it’s the right distance and the right time in her career to take on older horses. Between the Spinster and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, we’ll take two bites at the Grade I apple against older fillies and mares, which I think will improve her resume that much more. When you are going for an Eclipse Award you need to have all the boxes checked,” Green said.
DJ Stable also confirmed plans for another standout in their stable — GII Saratoga Special winner and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ewing (Knicks Go). The promising juvenile will target the GI Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland on Oct. 4.
“He’ll run in the Futurity opening weekend at Keeneland, as well,” Green said. “That was a recent change. We were pointing him for the Iroquois. We ran him back a couple of weeks after he broke his maiden. The race (in the Saratoga Special) against Obliteration absolutely took the starch out of him. We expect that, like Sandman, he’s going to have an elongated campaign, so giving him the time now to have a break seems like the right thing to do.”
