D. J. Stable’s Kentucky-bred Nitrogen, the current champion 3-Year-Old Filly, showcased her exceptional talent with a commanding 2 3/4-length victory in Friday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park. This race, a one-turn nine-furlong dirt event for fillies and mares aged three and older, was part of the Breeders’ Cup “Dirt Dozen” series, offering the winner a $30,000 credit toward Breeders’ Cup Distaff entry fees in October at Keeneland. Second and third places received $15,000 and $7,500 credits respectively.
Trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Nitrogen entered the Beldame after finishing second against males in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on August 8. There, the 4-year-old Medaglia d’Oro mare set the pace and ultimately finished 4 3/4 lengths behind the reigning Horse of the Year, Sovereignty. On Friday, Nitrogen again dictated the pace, mirroring her dominant 12 3/4-length win in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes at the Spa in June. In the stretch, Donor Advised posed a challenge, but under regular jockey Jose Ortiz, Nitrogen responded confidently to secure the win.
“She’s incredible. This was exactly what we hoped for,” said Casse. “Another filly gave her a bit of a challenge, which was good. Usually she likes having company, so it surprised me when she won by such a wide margin in the Phipps.” Owner Jon Green of D. J. Stable echoed those sentiments, adding, “This was exactly what we wanted—a strong run for most of the race, then an easy finish. Jose did a fantastic job keeping her in front without any trouble.”
Starting from post 4, Nitrogen quickly overtook Donor Advised, ridden by Manny Franco, maintaining a one-length lead over Lost Horizon and Donor Advised through a fast first quarter-mile of 23.89 seconds. “He [Franco] broke faster than I did, but I was set on leading,” Ortiz said. “I followed the races and saw that speed was holding up well, so I trusted that my horse was the best and aimed to take the lead.”
Nitrogen stretched her advantage to 3 1/2 lengths by the half-mile mark in 46.51 seconds and extended it to four lengths at three-quarters in 1:10.44. Ortiz comfortably rode Nitrogen to the top of the stretch, where Donor Advised began gaining ground. “She was moving beautifully,” Ortiz noted. “I waited for the perfect moment to ask her, and she responded when we passed the three-sixteenths pole.”
As Donor Advised angled in behind her, Nitrogen drifted out toward the center of the track but held firm to cross the finish line in 1:48.36. “She tends to drift out, but as long as she keeps advancing, I’m fine with it,” Ortiz said. Boutwell Time finished third, more than 13 lengths behind, followed by Lost Horizon and Lika Rolling Stone.
Green commented on Nitrogen’s strong finish, “When he sensed Donor Advised closing in, he urged her a bit more, and she found another gear. Most importantly, she looks perfect coming out of the race, so now we’re just counting down to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.” Casse chose the Beldame as preparation for the upcoming Distaff, opting against other races like last Friday’s Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. “This was ideal. Our target all along was the Breeders’ Cup, and with five weeks to go, we’re hopeful,” he said.
Franco praised Donor Advised’s effort in her stakes debut from the inside post. “She ran well. The winner is very impressive, and I’m happy to place my filly. I wanted to stay close inside and watch the favorite, knowing she’d be tough,” said Franco.
Nitrogen earned $137,500 with this win, pushing her career earnings past $3 million with an 18-start record featuring 9 wins, 6 seconds, and 3 thirds. She paid $2.10 on a $2 win bet as the overwhelming 1-9 favorite. Out of the stakes-placed Uncle Mo mare Tiffany Case, she is also a half-sister to three-time graded stakes-placer Love to Shop.
Racing at Belmont Park is suspended Saturday and Sunday due to an incoming nor’easter, with live races resuming Wednesday. General admission tickets are available for $7 when bought in advance, granting fans access to most grandstand seating and common areas. Further details and ticket purchases can be found at nyra.com.
For ongoing coverage of the Belmont fall meet, fans can tune into America’s Day at the Races on FOX Sports networks. More information on broadcast schedules is available online, and betting is facilitated through the official NYRA Bets platform, accessible nationwide via the NYRA Bets app on iOS and Android.
This story was first published by Paulick Report on September 25, 2026, in their News section.
Fan Take: Nitrogen’s dominant win in the Beldame not only cements her status as one of the top fillies in the nation but also sets the stage for an exciting showdown at the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. For horse racing enthusiasts, performances like hers highlight the thrilling talent and fierce competition that keep the sport vibrant and eagerly anticipated.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
