No horse has swept Oaklawn’s three largest two-turn races for previous mares and mares in the identical yr. Once more, no horses. nitrogen‘s resume tried that.
After efficiently negotiating step one, Nitrogen’s second step will likely be acquired for Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000. Azerbaijan Stakes At 1 1/16 miles. The seven-horse Azerbaijan area would be the final main native preparation for Nitrogen’s important spring goal, the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) on April 11.
Click on right here for Oaklawn entries and outcomes.
Azerbaijan will headline the 11-race card beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. Estimated submit time for race 9 in opposition to Azerbaijan is 5:44 p.m. In line with the climate forecast, there’s a excessive likelihood of rain on Saturday.
Skilled by two-time Corridor of Famer Mark Casse, Nitrogen gained six stakes races, together with the mile-and-a-half Alabama (G1) at Saratoga on August 16, incomes her the Eclipse Award because the 2025 North American Champion 3-year-old filly.
Nitrogen opened 2026 with a 2 3/4-length victory within the $250,000 Bayacoa Stakes (G3) at Oak Garden on February seventh at 1 1/16 miles. This was Nitrogen’s first begin since ending second within the 1 1/8-mile Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Kace was debating whether or not to inject nitrogen in Bayacoa or watch for the Azerbaijanis. She had solely three public coaching classes earlier than Bayacoa, the final of which was a five-furlong time of 1:00.0 at Oaklawn on January seventeenth. Oak Garden was then closed for 9 consecutive days of coaching following a winter storm in late January.
Nonetheless, Kass pulled the set off, and Nitrogen cruised to a workmanlike win at Bayacoa, his seventh win in 13 races and boosted his earnings to $2,192,854. There was one blow of nitrogen since Bayacoa on February twenty fifth, when it lined 0.5 miles at 49.6 meters.
“It did not take her that lengthy (to organize), identical to it did going into the final race,” Kass stated. “Simply watching her prepare, I believe she’s coaching pretty much as good or higher than ever. She gained that race and improved.”
Casse stated he isn’t apprehensive in regards to the outdoors monitor, particularly since Nitrogen gained the off-turf Marvel Once more Stakes (G3) by 17 lengths at Saratoga final June. The one-mile race was held on tough monitor.
“She ran as quick as she ran the Met Mile, so I am not too apprehensive,” Kass stated.
Kass additionally trains a number of G1 winner and millionaire La Cala, who will likely be seeking to make a comeback after ending fifth as the favourite in her 4-year-old debut, the Houston Women Basic (G3), to be held on January 24 at Sam Houston Race Park. La Cala competed in opposition to older horses for the primary time within the 1 1/16-mile race, and the latter carried out beneath common as a result of he raced on tough floor, Kass stated.
“I believe La Cala will give a very good account of herself,” Kass stated. “I believe she’s going to run an enormous race. She was exhausted (within the Women Basic), however there was no purpose for her to be drained.”
Majestic Oops returned to double rotation on February 13 after beginning her 2026 season with a 3-1/4 size victory within the six-furlong, $150,000 American Magnificence Stakes for older mares and mares.
Coach Dan Ward initially had his sights set on working him within the six-furlong, $250,000 Matron Stakes on March 27, however Agave Racing Stables co-owner Mark Martinez can be inquisitive about Hollin Ice, the Arkansas star whose subsequent run will likely be within the Matron Stakes. Ward stated Martinez want to add some main race wins to Majestic Oops to extend her broodmare worth.
Majestic Oops has gained at Oaklawn 3 times. His two wins, together with the $200,000 one-mile Dig-A-Diamond Stakes final April, got here in about two turns. Majestic Oops completed ninth in final yr’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
“Nitrogen is in nice form,” Ward stated. “You recognize it may be robust, however when my horses run effectively, they run effectively for a number of races in a row. Even after they win, they keep in form.”
G3 winner Liga Pink will likely be making his 5-year-old debut beneath coach Whit Beckman. Liga Pink completed third within the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, half a size behind Nitrogen.
Quiet Aspect, a Bayacoa bred and a distant third, is a horse that coach John Ortiz gained the most important prize at Oak Garden final yr.
Good Shot defeated Standout Sensation by a half-length within the Houston Women Basic, giving Corridor of Fame coach Steve Asmussen his fifth straight win within the race and seventh prior to now eight years.
Standout Sensation returns to Oak Garden after profitable the $150,000 Pippin Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 26. Skilled by Tom Amos, the standout sensation has completed first or second in his previous eight begins.
“She loves Oaklawn Park,” Amos stated. “She completed a extremely nice race at Sam Houston.”
| no. | silk | horse/stallion | analysis | Coach/Jockey | Earlier begin / Subsequent begin | M.L. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | excellent shot gun runner | 7.64 | Stephen M. Asmussen Eric Asmussen | 1st place (103), 2026 Houston Women Basic G3 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | 12-1 | |
| ultimate race subsequent race | 1st place (103), 2026 Houston Women Basic G3 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | |||||
| 2 | nitrogen gold medal | 7.89 | Mark E. Cass Jose L. Ortiz | 1st place (124), 2026 Bayacoa G3 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | 4-5 | |
| ultimate race subsequent race | 1st place (124), 2026 Bayacoa G3 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | |||||
| 3 | majestic oops majestic harbor | 7.31 | Dan Ward Francisco Arrieta | 1st place (124), 2026 American Magnificence LS 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | 3-1 | |
| ultimate race subsequent race | 1st place (124), 2026 American Magnificence LS 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | |||||
| 4 | quiet facet malibu moon | 7.72 | John A. Ortiz Ramon A. Vasquez | third place (112), 2026 Bayacoa G3 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | 15-1 | |
| ultimate race subsequent race | third place (112), 2026 Bayacoa G3 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | |||||
| 5 | Regaldo Mohaimen | 7.67 | D. Whitworth Beckman Joseph D. Ramos | 2025 Falls Metropolis G3 4th 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | 9-2 | |
| ultimate race subsequent race | 2025 Falls Metropolis G3 4th 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | |||||
| 6 | face road sense | 7.82 | Mark E. Cass Cristian A. Torres | 2026 Houston Women Basic G3 fifth place (96) 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | 10-1 | |
| ultimate race subsequent race | 2026 Houston Women Basic G3 fifth place (96) 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | |||||
| 7 | excellent sensation take cost indy | 7.53 | Thomas M. Amos Luis Saez | 2nd place (103), 2026 Houston Women Basic G3 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | 12-1 | |
| ultimate race subsequent race | 2nd place (103), 2026 Houston Women Basic G3 2026 Azerbaijan G2 | |||||
