Champion Nitrogen's major spring objective remains the same, despite a hiccup March 7 at Oaklawn Park.
Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said Nitrogen will make her next start in the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 11 after a third-place finish in Saturday's Azeri Stakes (G2).
Nitrogen, the 1-5 favorite under regular rider Jose Ortiz, was beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Majestic Oops in the 1 1/16-mile Azeri, a $400,000 event that served as the final major local prep for the Apple Blossom.
READ: Majestic Oops Wins Azeri, Nitrogen Third
Nitrogen was North America's champion 3-year-old filly of 2025 and opened her 4-year-old campaign with a victory in the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 7.
"Jose said he thought she was much more tired this race than the last one, which, really, from a fitness standpoint, it doesn't make sense, right?" Casse said March 10. "We always thought she would need the first one. She's a big filly and the track was a little funny. Maybe she was just tired."
The 1 1/16-mile Apple Blossom is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event for the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). Nitrogen, in her final start at 3, finished second in the Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Casse said he "definitely" has a second Apple Blossom candidate in Nerazurri, who has won three of four starts at the meeting, including two stakes. Nerazurri's only loss this season at Oaklawn was a runner-up finish behind Nitrogen in the Bayakoa.
