'Nitrogen' provides Mark Casse with his first win in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Three-year-old filly "Nitrogen" pulled away from a six-horse field down the stretch of Saturday's 145th running of the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, delivering trainer Mark Casse his first career win in the Alabama - the final leg of the Triple Tiara; the female equivalent of the triple crown.
Casse entered two fillies into the field, yet neither closed as the favorite. That was the two-horse, "Good Cheer", going off at 7-5 odds. "Good Cheer" entered with just one loss in eight career starts for trainer Brad Cox, and that lone loss came in the Acorn Stakes during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
"La Cara", the other entry for Casse, pulled the upset win in the Acorn back in June and entered at 5-2. "Nitrogen" would enter the starting gate with 2-1 odds.
As the field raced for home, it was "Nitrogen" holding onto the lead with "Good Cheer" trying to make a late charge. Despite a move to the inside by "Good Cheer", "Nitrogen" found another gear to hold on for the win.
Jockey Jose Ortiz guided "Nitrogen" to victory, which was a special one for Casse.
"I've been coming here since I was 10 years old," said Casse. "The Alabama has always been huge. I can't even explain it. It's all I've ever wanted to do since I was a little boy."
Brad Cox, who was also seeking his first career Alabama win, saw his two entries finish second and third with "Good Cheer" placing and "Margie's Intention" finishing in the show position.
In the only other stakes race of the day, the Skidmore Stakes, "Bobrovsky" earned the win for trainer Dale Romans.