Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks with grade 1-winners Nitrogen and Counting Stars in upcoming top-level engagements at Saratoga Race Course, and both fillies turned in solo half-mile works over the historic oval July 12.
D.J. Stable's Kentucky homebred Nitrogen is gearing up for a highly anticipated run against males in the prestigious $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) Aug. 8, a 9-furlong route for 3-year-olds and up that awards an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in October at Keeneland.
The 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro posted her third work since a one-sided 12 3/4-length victory in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), working solo in :48 3/5 according to New York Racing Association clockers.
"Nitrogen just had a nice, easy breeze, and I thought she went good," Casse said. "We're going to let her do a little more next week."
The reigning champion 3-year-old filly, Nitrogen's sophomore campaign was highlighted by local graded scores in the off-the-turf Wonder Again (G3)—which she won by 17 lengths over a sloppy and sealed main track—and the 10-furlong Alabama Stakes (G1). She went on to land second against elders in the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar to close out the year. She was also a nose away from being a grade 1 winner on turf and dirt, coming up just shy of Fionn in last year's Belmont Oaks (G1T) here.
West Point Thoroughbreds' sophomore Counting Stars scored her first top-level victory June 5, taking the Acorn Stakes (G1) by 3 3/4 lengths over Kentucky Oaks (G1)-winner Always a Runner. The Honor A. P. bay is targeting the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at 9 furlongs July 25, and posted a solo half-mile work in :48.
"We're at the point where we're not worried too much about fitness anymore," Casse said of how the filly has trained since the Acorn. "She's in a happy place, and I thought this morning she was magnificent. She continues to amaze me. Nitrogen has already amazed me, but Counting Stars is really starting to act like she's a serious horse."
As for what lies beyond the Coaching Club American Oaks for Counting Stars later this summer, Casse said, "Let's get through this one first."
