July 3, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Hit the Nitro
Unbeaten through five starts in 2025, Nitrogen no longer has the element of surprise on her side – but the dynamic 3-year-old filly has proven she doesn’t need it to thrive.
Already a millionaire this season alone, Nitrogen eyes another hefty payday as the heavy 4-5 choice in Saturday’s $500,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1T) at Saratoga.
The magnificent Mark Casse charge finds herself back at the upstate New York track for the second time in as many starts – her last appearance coming in the Wonder Again (G3), a heavily condensed three-horse tilt in which she prevailed by 17 lengths.
Back on the turf Saturday, Nitrogen must outlast six foes to secure her first Grade 1 title.
Stock Watch
Kopion, after notching her first Grade 1 triumph in her final start of 2024 (La Brea), has continued her ascent to stardom with consecutive graded tallies to begin 2025.
The reigning Santa Monica (G2) and Derby City Distaff (G1) champion looks to stay perfect this Saturday in the $200,000 Great Lady M. (G2) at Los Alamitos Racecourse.
Headlined by scores of 3 and 4 ½ lengths, Kopion’s sizzling start has vaulted the Richard Mandella trainee atop the United States’ filly and mare sprint division.
With five wins and north of $1 million on her resume lifetime (seven starts), Kopion enters the 6 ½-furlong Great Lady as the 4-5 clubhouse leader.
The Call Stands
After further review, the call on the field is upheld: Instant Replay has been determined ready for a return to the graded stakes tier.
Referee lingo aside, Instant Replay is more than deserving of a spot in this Saturday’s $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis after rattling off consecutive victories in the Bathhouse Row Stakes and Texas Derby.
The pair of hard-charging conquests followed a spirited rally for third in March’s Louisiana Derby (G2) – Instant Replay’s graded debut.
Out to break through on the graded stage, Instant Replay enters at 4-1.
Target Acquired
While Marksman Queen’s 2025 debut didn’t go to plan – 10th of 12 in the Grade 3 La Prevoyante – the 5-year-old Graham Motion trainee is out for revenge in Saturday’s $250,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial (G3T).
Landing at Delaware Park for the first time, Marksman Queen nailed a bullseye last time out holding on for the half-length decision after leading throughout the Keertana Stakes.
Getting back on a winning note was long overdue for the Jorge Ruiz mount, who had been held out of the winner’s circle in 10 straight going back to December 2023.
The coming around Marksman Queen enters as the 8-5 choice.
Open Mind
Think Big’s impressive three-race win streak, which included strong outings in the Shakertown (G2T) and Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2T), endured an abrupt end with a seventh in June’s Jaipur (G1T).
Hoping to leave last month’s blemish in the rearview, the Michael Stidham trainee turns his attention to the $175,000 Kelso (G3T) on Saturday at Saratoga.
Set to square off against a deep group of a dozen, led by narrow 5-2 choice Donegal Momentum, Think Big, at 7-2, slots in third on the board behind fellow erudite Intellect (FR), who opens at 3-1.
Through 10 career starts, Think Big is 5-0-1 with $712,785 banked.