Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has been strategically sending top horses to Oaklawn Park for its 64-day split season, with recent arrivals including millionaire Grade 1 winner Nitrogen. Nitrogen, a homebred filly and Eclipse Award finalist for champion 3-year-old filly of 2025, is being prepped for major spring races at Oaklawn, including the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap and the $400,000 Azeri Stakes. Alongside Nitrogen, other notable horses like Sandman, La Cara, and Ewing have also been relocated from Casse’s Florida training center to Oaklawn to continue their campaigns.

Casse’s Oaklawn operation has seen remarkable success, highlighted by a 48% win rate during the recent 13-day Holiday racing season, with 83% of his starters finishing in the top three. His horses have captured multiple stakes races, including the Smarty Jones, Astral Spa Overnight Stakes, Year’s End Stakes, and Oaklawn Sports Overnight Stakes. Assistant trainer Caden Arthur credited the strong start to the quality of horses, teamwork, and the suitability of Oaklawn Park for their racing style.