Nitrogen looms large in Belmont Oaks

What could prove to be an especially fruitful summer at Saratoga for the three-year-old filly Nitrogen continues on Saturday when the rising star looks to capture her sixth stakes win in a row in the $500,000 Belmont Oaks (G1) over nine furlongs on the turf.

Although she beat only two overmatched rivals in last month's Wonder Again (G3), which was forced off the turf and onto a sloppy main track due to torrential rain, Nitrogen was still clear by 17 lengths at the finish. It also proved the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro's versatility, and has her connections potentially considering the 1 1/4-mile Alabama (G1) in August.

Aside from lacking a Grade 1 win, Nitrogen hasn't much else to prove on the grass, given her early-season wins in the Ginger Brew S., Florida Oaks (G3), Appalachian (G2), and Edgewood (G2).

"The Belmont Oaks has always been our goal, but we're seriously thinking about the Alabama after this," trainer Mark Casse said. "If you're a Thorograph guy, I think she's been running 7s and she ran a 2 that day, which is phenomenal and probably as good as any three-year-old filly in North America, dirt or turf."

May Day Ready trailed throughout in the Wonder Again, but it was a surface she had not encountered before, and also her first run since an unsuccessful jaunt to Japan in December. Last season, the Tapit filly won the Jessamine (G2) over Totally Justified and finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), one spot ahead of Nitrogen.

Fionn and Totally Justified recently finished one-two in the Regret (G3) at Churchill Downs, while Saratoga veteran Opulent Restraint and Virgin Colada were last seen placing in the Memories of Silver S. at Aqueduct in late April.

The Belmont Oaks, however, goes through Nitrogen, who is likely again to be a strong, odds-on favorite with bettors.

Although 2024 winner Carl Spackler has sought greener pastures overseas, the $175,000 Kelso (G3) over one mile on the turf might still prove winnable for Chad Brown, who saddles the French-bred gelding Intellect. A minor stakes winner at Longchamp a year ago in April, Intellect finished a respectable third in his U.S. debut following a year-long layoff, and was most recently second to returning rival Donegal Momentum in the Poker (G3).

Win for the Money, upset winner of the Woodbine Mile (G1) last fall, makes his first appearance since a weakening seventh-place effort in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) in January, while the multiple top-level placed Mountain Bear has claims following a season-opening second in a Churchill Downs allowance.

Stretching out in distance are the accomplished sprinters Think Big and Arzak, the former exiting a dull try in the Jaipur (G1) in what was his first setback in five tries on the grass.

The historic $175,000 Sanford (G3) for two-year-olds has attracted a field of six, with the maiden Blinging It Back not looking out of place after finishing a clear second in the Tremont S. last month while outfinishing subsequent Bashford Manor S. winner Romeo.

Others likely to attract attention in the six-furlong dash are debut winners Obliteration, for Steve Asmussen, and Strategic Risk, for Mark Casse.