When heavy rain forced the June 7 Wonder Again Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course to move from turf to dirt, trainer Mark Casse and owners Leonard and Jonathan Green faced a tough choice with their star filly Nitrogen. Despite her turf success—including a four-stakes win streak and the 2024 Sovereign Award for champion 2-year-old filly—Nitrogen had never raced on dirt. After reviewing a strong December workout on dirt and considering the small field, they decided to run her on the unfamiliar surface. Nitrogen responded impressively, winning by 17 lengths on a sloppy track with a time close to a top male colt’s recent performance, showcasing her versatility and prompting plans for her to compete in the prestigious $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) on dirt.

Nitrogen’s adaptability is not surprising to her connections, who have long regarded her as exceptional since birth. With a record of five wins, two seconds, and earnings over $1.2 million, she has proven herself a champion on turf and now shows promise on dirt. The Greens aim to secure her first Grade 1 win on dirt, potentially targeting races like the Alabama Stakes, Cotillion Stakes, and ultimately the Breeders’ Cup Distaff or Filly and Mare Turf. Her versatility and talent have raised hopes that she could be a generational filly, capable of excelling on multiple surfaces and continuing to build an impressive racing legacy.