Breeders’ Cup Preview: Nitrogen Favors Distaff, Napoleon Solo Eyes Classic; Spencer Extends U.S. Stint

Nitrogen is preparing for a third Breeders’ Cup appearance, with Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse hoping this attempt finally secures a victory.

The 4-year-old filly heads the field for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at the 43rd Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, set for Oct. 30-31.

As a 2-year-old, Nitrogen finished a closing third as a maiden in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Del Mar. Last year, at the same venue as a 3-year-old, she ran second to Scylla.

Despite that runner-up showing, Nitrogen was voted champion 3-year-old filly as she transitioned from turf to dirt and won six of nine starts, including the Alabama Stakes (G1).

Nitrogen arrived at Keeneland earlier this week following a strong summer at Saratoga, where she captured the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) by 12 ¾ lengths before finishing second to Horse of the Year Sovereignty in the Whitney Stakes (G1) against male rivals.

She prepared for the Distaff with a gate-to-wire victory over four opponents in the Beldame Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park on Sept. 25.

“She’s doing well,” Casse said as Nitrogen settled in at Keeneland. “I thought the Beldame was a good race. I liked the timing. It looks like a showdown between her and Chad’s filly.”

That reference is to Full Subscribed, the Chad Brown-trained 4-year-old who placed second to Nitrogen in the Ogden Phipps but has since won three consecutive races: the Shuvee Stakes (G3), the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), and the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 4.

The Distaff field appears deeply competitive. Alongside these two headliners, possibilities include Immersive, Splendora, and Super Corredora, the defending Distaff champion. Regardless of the competition, Nitrogen is expected to sit on or near the lead under Jose Ortiz.

“She’ll be pretty close,” Casse said. “We may slow her down a little bit, but we’re not going to take hold of her. We’re going to let her do her thing.”

Preakness Winner Napoleon Solo Trains at Belmont for Breeders’ Cup

Napoleon Solo recorded another sharp workout at Belmont Park on Friday, breezing six furlongs in 1:11.

Following the Preakness, the 3-year-old colt finished second by a half-length in both the Haskell Stakes (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1). He is pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), with trainer Chad Summers leaning toward the Classic.

“It was kind of a stamina-building breeze,” Summers said, adding, “The key today was getting that big gallop-out into him – he galloped out a mile and an eighth, and that’s what we were looking for.”

Napoleon Solo has three workouts recorded at Belmont, including a bullet five-furlong time of 58.00 on Oct. 1 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

Regarding the Classic or Dirt Mile, Summers said: “It’s all going to be up to the team. We’ll pre-enter in both races, and we’ll see. At this stage, I would be surprised if we didn’t run in the Classic.”

Jamie Spencer Settles at Santa Anita for Extended North American Stay

Jamie Spencer, one of the premier international jockeys, is making himself at home at Santa Anita Park with what could become an extended stay in Southern California.

The 46-year-old Irishman, a former champion in England and Ireland with more than 2,000 wins, arrived from Woodbine in Canada after winning the Canadian International (G1) aboard Arabian Crown for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.

Spencer has two rides scheduled for Saturday: Ellen Jorth (4-1) in the fifth race for trainer Phil D’Amato, and Santa Barbarian (3-1) in the 10th for trainer Ryan Hanson.

This marks Spencer’s first full-time ride on the North American circuit.

“Obviously it’s a quiet time of year in England (for racing),” Spencer said. “Normally I shut down at the start of November as I don’t race on the all-weather (tracks) there in November, December, January and part of February. I just thought this year let’s try something different. Carry on here at Santa Anita for this meet, then hopefully Del Mar, and if things go well continue on at Santa Anita through the winter.”

Spencer has secured 19 wins – 10 Grade 1s – in the U.S. and Canada and has ridden in 11 Breeders’ Cups.

He also plans a trip to Australia during the final weeks of the Santa Anita fall meet, where he will ride Ryal Supremacy in the $4.5 million Caulfield Cup (G1).

Irad Ortiz, Jr. Returns to the Saddle at Keeneland

After recovering for two months from a foot injury suffered in a pre-race incident at Saratoga on Aug. 8, Irad Ortiz, Jr. returned to action at Keeneland on Oct. 2, opening day of the Fall meet.

The five-time Eclipse Award winner recorded one victory in seven starts on that day, winning the Phoenix Stakes (G2) aboard Nakatomi.

Keeneland notes indicate Ortiz fractured seven bones in his left foot, prompting him to believe his season was over.

“I thought I was done for the year,” he said. “It feels great to be out there competing, enjoying the races. I was getting ready, getting fit and doing a lot of rehab on my foot. People like (trainer) Brad (Cox). I was getting on horses early for him, getting fit.”

Through Oct. 9, Ortiz had won eight of 37 starts, including a graded stakes victory aboard Rhetorical in the Coolmore Turf Stakes (G1) on Oct. 3.

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