Magnificent Midnight Bisou Blitzes Fleur de Lis Foes
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Midnight Bisou gallops to victory in the Fleur de Lis Stakes at Churchill Downs
Champion Midnight Bisou made an eye-catching return to the races June 27 in the $200,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, blitzing her way to an 8 1/4-length score.
In her first start since a runner-up finish to Maximum Security in the Feb. 29 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, the 5-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute crushed her own division with a powerful move off the far turn in her 2020 U.S. debut. She picked up an expenses-paid return trip through the Breeders' Cup Challenge series to the Nov. 7 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Keeneland, an event in which she was runner-up in 2019 and third in 2018.
Midnight Bisou came away fifth of seven in Saturday's 1 1/8-mile test, but made steady progress under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith as grade 1 winner Serengeti Empress set swift opening fractions of :23.18 and :46.15. As three-quarters went in 1:09.74, Midnight Bisou inhaled the pacesetter and galloped into the head of the lane with plenty left to give. She widened her advantage through a 1:35.40 mile and was never challenged en route to the win.
"She's just an amazing mare," Smith said. "I actually took the lead a little before I wanted to. We were planning on laying a little bit closer but the way Serengeti Empress was winging it on the front end we were a little further back. She's just incredibly special."
The final time was 1:48.99 on a fast track. Sent off as the 1-2 favorite, Midnight Bisou returned $3 on a $2 win ticket.
"What an amazing mare; couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity," trainer Steve Asmussen said. "What a true blessing she is. To see her come through the stretch, happy as she is, as beautiful as ever, what a reward.
"For her to show her class like this is wonderful."
Midnight Bisou is campaigned by Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing. The Fleur de Lis win improved her career record to 13-5-3 from 21 starts, with earnings of $7,371,520. Her earnings for a runner-up finish in the $20 million Saudi Cup have not yet been released, pending an investigation by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia due to the federal indictment of Maximum Security's trainer, Jason Servis, along with 26 other individuals on doping-related charges.
Motion Emotion, second throughout, held for the runner-up position at odds of 34-1. Another Broad was third at 25-1, while Serengeti Empress faded to fourth. Red Dane, Go Google Yourself, and Chocolate Kisses completed the order of finish.
Midnight Bisou was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds out of the Repent mare Diva Delite, and sold to Bloom for $80,000 from Woodford's consignment at the 2017 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Diva Delite produced a Wicked Strong filly in 2018 and a Pioneerof the Nile colt last year. She was bred to Justify for 2020.