Nitrous Stalks and Pounces in Thanksgiving Classic
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Photo: Hodges Photography/ Amanda Hodges Weir
Nitrous wins the Thanksgiving Classic at Fair Grounds Race Course
Winchell Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables' Nitrous settled just off a speed duel, kicked clear off the far turn, and held off the late run of favored Manny Wah by 1 1/2 lengths Nov. 26 to win the $125,000 Thanksgiving Classic Stakes on opening day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Nitrous was fifth of six early beneath Adam Beschizza, three lengths off a :21.52 first quarter set by defending champion Bobby Wicked One under pressure from Landeskog. Landeskog put Bobby's Wicked One away on the backside, but Nitrous was quick to pounce. The 4-year-old son of Tapit opened up off the turn, and comfortably held off a rally from Manny Wah in a final time of 1:09.78 for six furlongs. It was another half-length back to Mr Money Bags in third.
With a career record of 18-4-3-2, Nitrous increased his bankroll to $547,796.
Nitrous won for the first time since taking the Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn Park in April 2019, though over nine consecutive defeats he had often remained competitive for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, sometimes in graded company.
"I was pleased when I saw the two horses hook up, and the two behind them seemed to put some pressure on them as well," said Asmussen assistant Scott Blasi. "I thought Adam had him in a great spot early. Once he got him outside where he likes to run, he finished up well."
Beschizza, who won two on the day, was pleased the race played out how it looked on paper, which hinted that both Bobby's Wicked One and Landeskog would set hot and contested fractions.
"We knew Bobby's Wicked One was the main speed in the race and he usually sets pretty good fractions," Beschizza said. "The two of them were going at it early, so I was happy with my position early on. It was perfect for him, as he likes a scrap, and once he set his eyes on the leader, I don't think there was going to be much getting by him. I'm sure he won't be done with his winning ways throughout the meet."
Nitrous was a close second to Hog Creek Hustle in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park in June 2019 and entered off a third, beaten a head, in the Oct. 3 Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.
"I thought his last race was really good at Pimlico; he was unlucky not to win that day," Blasi said. "He seems to be rounding into form. We always thought a lot him and look forward to him improving off this."
Bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Nitrous is out of the stakes-winning City Zip mare Speedinthruthecity. Her two foals to race are both winners. She also has a yearling filly by Tapit.
Landeskog and Bobby's Wicked One tired from their early tussle and finished fourth and sixth, respectively, split by fifth-place Tringale.