Velazquez to ride Nitrogen in Whitney

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. − Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will ride Nitrogen when the filly takes on the boys in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes on Aug. 8, trainer Mark Casse said Saturday.

Jose Ortiz is the regular rider of Nitrogen, but he is committed to riding Magnitude in the Whitney.

Velazquez is a four-time winner of the Whitney, though his most recent win came in 2013 with Cross Traffic.

“I think Johnny will suit her nicely and we’ve had a lot of great success together,” trainer Mark Casse said.

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