Hot Springs, Arkansas – In a stunning upset at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, March 7, 2026, Majestic Oops surged past favored Nitrogen to win the Grade 2, $400,000 Azeri Stakes for older fillies and mares. The 6-year-aged mare, a 9-1 longshot, paid $20.60 for the win, marking a career high for both the horse and her trainer, Dan Ward.
Ridden by Francisco Arrieta, Majestic Oops completed the 1 1/16-mile race over a sloppy, sealed track in a time of 1:43.36, finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of Regaled. Nitrogen, the 2025 Eclipse Award champion 3-year-old filly and heavy 1-5 favorite, finished another length back in third. The victory represents the first graded stakes win for Majestic Oops, a California-bred daughter of Majestic Harbor.
A Ground-Saving Trip to Victory
Majestic Oops broke sharply from the gate and Arrieta skillfully settled her into a ground-saving position just inside Nitrogen. As Jose Ortiz urged Nitrogen to take the lead turning for home, Arrieta guided Majestic Oops outside rivals, unleashing a powerful stretch run. “With Francisco, I was exceptionally confident because he knows how to get her to finish,” said Ward. “She broke on top but he got her to relax. That’s the key. And then she can come with that finish.”
Regaled altered course to the inside in the final sixteenth of a mile to secure second place, finishing one length ahead of Nitrogen. The performance signaled a strong return to form for Majestic Oops, who had previously finished ninth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar and kicked off 2026 with a win in the six-furlong American Beauty S. At Oaklawn on February 13.
Nitrogen’s Challenge Falls Short
Nitrogen, trained by Mark Casse, was coming off a victory in the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn on February 7. Casse had initially planned for the Azeri to be Nitrogen’s 2026 debut but changed course due to the Medaglia d’Oro filly’s strong training. However, she was sluggish to break from the gate in the Azeri and appeared to drift slightly at midstretch as Majestic Oops made her winning move. Nitrogen finished second in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar, with Majestic Oops finishing ninth in that race, according to Thoroughbred Daily News.
Looking Ahead to the Apple Blossom
The Azeri Stakes and the Bayakoa Stakes serve as key prep races for Oaklawn’s premier filly and mare race, the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) on April 11. This year’s Apple Blossom is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In event for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Nitrogen had been targeting the Apple Blossom throughout the Oaklawn season, and Ward expressed hope for a rematch. “I hope so,” he replied when asked if Majestic Oops might also compete in the Apple Blossom, as reported by Daily Racing Form.
The Azeri Stakes is named in honor of the 2002 Horse of the Year and Hall of Fame inductee, Azeri, who won all three of her starts at Oaklawn in the Apple Blossom Handicap.
Majestic Oops is owned by Medallion Racing (Phil Shelton), Evan Trommer, Agave Racing Stable (Mark Martinez), and Sheila Regan. She was bred by William and Sandy Dory and Gary and Janet Kropp.
Trainer Dan Ward, who is scheduled for hip replacement surgery later this month, celebrated his biggest career victory with this upset win, as noted by MSN. The victory is a testament to Ward’s training ability and Arrieta’s skillful ride.
The outcome of the Azeri Stakes sets the stage for an exciting Apple Blossom Handicap, and racing fans will be watching closely to see if Majestic Oops can continue her winning form and challenge Nitrogen once again.
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