Breeders' Cup Distaff on Midnight Bisou's Horizon
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Midnight Bisou rolls to her seventh victory of the year in the Beldame at Belmont Park
Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing's Midnight Bisou came out of her 3 1/4-length win in the Sept. 28 Beldame Stakes (G2) in good order, co-owner Jeff Bloom said Sunday morning. Bloom said her victory at 1 1/8 miles on Belmont Park's fast main track will set her up for the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.
"She came out of the race in excellent shape—as good as she went into it," Bloom said. "She's scheduled to ship out tomorrow to fly west and go to her new home base for fall in Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup Distaff."
The daughter of Midnight Lute improved to 7-for-7 this year, with all her victories against graded stakes company.
"Words can't describe it. She's a remarkable filly who has provided all of us with a run of a lifetime," Bloom said. "Yesterday's performance was just another validation of her talent."
With John Velazquez picking up the mount from fellow Hall of Famer Mike Smith, Midnight Bisou won for the second straight time at the Distaff's distance, adding to her neck victory over Elate in the Aug. 24 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
Midnight Bisou's last loss came in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs, where she finished a competitive third behind victorious Monomoy Girl and Wow Cat, who was second in the Beldame. The Steve Asmussen trainee has never finished off the board in 18 starts, compiling a 12-3-3 record with earnings of $3.41 million for the Hall of Fame conditioner.
This year, Midnight Bisou has amassed wins at five tracks.
"Just objectively looking at the body of her work and her campaign starting in January, she's showed up every time and had to battle against the best and she's beaten them all to this point," Bloom said. "She has quality and quantity and a great résumé. Certainly, capping things off in the Distaff would be a huge statement. … If you compare her to others and what they are doing, she's a Horse of the Year candidate."