Nitrogen, Vixen, Mi Bago point to Kentucky

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Mark Casse has done a terrific job keeping his two 3-year-old turf fillies Nitrogen and Vixen apart this winter and they have combined to win four stakes races. Now they are likely to wind up in the same races with both aiming at the Grade 2, $500,000 Appalachian Stakes on April 5 followed by the Grade 2, $600,000 Edgewood on May 2.

“Our hopes and plans were for them to meet there, that was one of the reasons we separated them early on,” said Casse, who trains both fillies for D J Stable. “[The Appalachian] is a huge race, it leads to the Edgewood.”

Nitrogen showed a good turn of foot, rallying in the stretch to run by Lush Lips and win Saturday’s Grade 2 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs by a half-length. She earned a career-best 86 Beyer.

“She ended up with a pretty good Beyer, the race was fast enough, [Lush Lips] ran a heckuva race loose on the lead,” Casse said. “At the top of the lane, I didn’t think we’d be there, at the sixteenth pole she ducked out a little bit and I really didn’t think she’d get there, but she did.”

Meanwhile, Casse said the 3-year-old colt Mi Bago, winner of the Colonel Liam Stakes at Gulfstream on March 1, will make his next start in the Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland on April 4.

Mi Bago was nominated to the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, but will not run there, Casse said.

*** After registering a three-peat in the Grade 3 Challenger Stakes, Skippylongstocking will now seek a repeat in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap on April 19.

Skippylongstocking won the Challenger by 1 1/4 lengths over Most Wanted, his 10th career victory from 30 starts. He earned a 99 Beyer Speed Figure for Saturday’s victory.

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