Elements at Play Getting back in the winner’s circle is priority number one for six-time graded stakes winner Nitrogen, but securing a second shot at the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) ranks a close second. The decorated Mark Casse charge will have the opportunity to do both in this Saturday’s $1.25 million Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn Park. After concluding her 2025 campaign with a runner-up outing in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Nitrogen led off 2026 with a Bayakoa (G3) triumph on February 7 before finishing third, as the 2-5 choice, in last month’s Azeri (G2). Fortunately for the Medaglia D’Oro filly, the 1 1/16-mile Apple Blossom grants the winner an automatic entry into October’s BC Distaff at Keeneland. Nitrogen, with revenge on the mind, leads the Apple Blossom’s early betting at 9-5. VIP Section On the verge of joining the $1 million earners club, Booth finds himself back in familiar territory for this Saturday’s $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint (G3) at Oaklawn Park. Sitting just shy of $918,000 in prizes ahead of the six-furlong dash, Booth, the reigning Count Fleet champion, did wonders for his portfolio during a dazzling four-race win streak that also saw him capture last year’s Commodore Overnight Stakes, Whitmore (G3) and Maryland Sprint (G3). While the 5-year-old son of Mitole–Sophia’s Song has been held winless in three starts since the Maryland, he has remained a reliable performer for trainer Steve Asmussen. Booth begins his title defense as the 3-1 third choice on the morning line. Hungry for More Coming off her first triumph at the highest level, Segesta looks to make it two in a row in the $650,000 Jenny Wiley (G1T) at Keeneland. When the Ghostzapper mare goes postward this Saturday, she will be making her first appearance in five months, when she last dazzled with a confident 2 ¼-length victory in November’s Matriarch (G1). The Chad Brown charge is now raring to go after the well-earned vacation, and will reunite with rider Flavien Prat, who was aboard for the Matriarch score. Segesta, bred and owned by Juddmonte, has earned $1,190,275 across 11 starts (4-4-0). She enters the 1 1/16-mile Jenny Wiley as the 7-2 second choice. Sights Set Confessional heads into this Saturday’s $400,000 Lexington (G3) at Keeneland not with the 152nd Kentucky Derby (G1) in mind, but an emphasis on tracking down his first stakes trophy. The sophomore Essential Quality colt enters the 1 1/16-mile Lexington – which awards 20 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points to the winner – off a third in the Virginia Derby on March 14 at Colonial Downs. While a win Saturday wouldn’t vault Confessional, or any of his 10 contemporaries, into the Kentucky Derby starting gate, it would, however, represent a major milestone for the Brad Cox charge. Confessional enters his graded stakes debut at 7-2 on the morning line. Patiently Waiting A ninth in January’s Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G2T) wasn’t how In Our Time imagined her 5-year-old campaign beginning, but the seasoned Not This Time mare can right the ship in start number two: the $400,000 Giant’s Causeway (G2T), Sunday at Keeneland. Entering the 5 ½-furlong sprint with something to prove, In Our Time has curated a strong resume through 16 lifetime starts (4-6-2; $697,092). While still in search of her first graded success, the Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee has come close on several occasions, most recently in a runner-up Matriarch (G1) outing last November. In the Giant’s Causeway, In Our Time will reconvene with Time to Dazzle, who got the best of her in the Grade 2 Franklin on October 12, also at Keeneland. The rivals will occupy posts seven and 11, respectively. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
