Midnight Interlude

Shigeki Kikkawa

Date	Track	Race	Finish	Chart	Distance	Time	BSF	Video
5/21/11	PIM	Preakness	13th		1 3/16 mile	1:56.40	71
5/7/11	CD	Kentucky Derby	16th		1 1/4 mile	2:02.00	77
4/9/11	SA	Santa Anita Derby	1st		1 1/8 mile	1:48.60	97

Midnight Interlude Owner: Arnold Zetcher LLC Trainer: Bob Baffert Record: 5-2-1-1 Best Beyer: 97 Breeder: Arnold Zetcher LLC Tomlinson Distance Rating: 301 Auction: Out yearling (Keeneland, September 2009) Dosage Profile: 6-5-15-0-0 (26) Dosage Index: 2.47 Center of Distribution: 0.65

PROFILE

By Brad Free

STRENGTHS
Midnight Interlude hails from one of the hottest stables in the nation. Trainer Bob Baffert entered the middle of May second in earnings ($5.2 million), thanks to an outstanding 30 percent win rate and 12 graded stakes from 10 horses, including Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty.

As for lightly raced (five starts) Midnight Interlude, his conspicuous upward pattern came to a screeching halt when he finished 16th in the Kentucky Derby. If that race somehow can be discounted, he fits on figures. The career-best 97 Beyer he earned two starts back winning the Santa Anita Derby is roughly equivalent to most of his Preakness rivals.

WEAKNESSES
Midnight Interlude apparently was exposed when he finished in front of only three others in the Kentucky Derby. His Santa Anita Derby victory falls short under scrutiny. He was fully extended to win that slow-paced race, which was run without favorites Premier Pegasus and Jaycito.

Baffert won the Preakness a year ago with Lookin At Lucky, who also was off the board in the Derby. But the only similarity between that already established colt and Midnight Interlude is the trainer. Midnight Interlude has yet to prove he can cope with legitimate fractions, which he is likely to face in the Preakness. The bottom line is that Midnight Interlude is not good enough, at least not yet.

BETTING VALUE
Midnight Interlude faces a tall order. On the other hand, Baffert is not one to “take shots” without a valid reason. A case might be made that Midnight Interlude is worth backing at 20-1 or higher purely on the hot-trainer angle. However, based on established ability, the son of War Chant falls short.

PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

By Dan Illman

Sire:
War Chant won at distances ranging from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, and was a graded winner on dirt and turf. Ninth in the 2000 Kentucky Derby, he uncorked a furious stretch run to win the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile on turf with a 108 Beyer Speed Figure. War Chant won the first three starts of his career, including the Grade 2 San Rafael Stakes at a mile before finishing second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at nine furlongs.

At stud, War Chant's progeny have done best on grass. Chamberlain Bridge won last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at five furlongs. Kingsfort earned his biggest victory in the Group 1 National Stakes on turf in Ireland. Other graded winners by War Chant include Brilliant (Jefferson Cup, nine furlongs on turf), War Kill (Beaumont Stakes, seven furlongs on polytrack), and Karen's Caper (multiple Grade 3 winner on turf).

Dam:
Midnight Kiss won two of four starts in her native New Zealand, and finished third in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks at 1 1/2 miles on grass. Racing exclusively on grass, Midnight Kiss was a true stayer, prevailing in a maiden at 1 3/16 miles as well as an allowance at 11 panels.
This is the female family of graded/group winners Slip Screen (Long Island Handicap, $201,570 in earnings), Bemis Heights (Ruthless Stakes), Who's to Answer (Bed O'Roses Handicap), and Or Acier (Group 3 winner in Italy).

Outlook:
Although primarily bred to succeed on turf, Midnight Interlude proved that he could handle dirt with his win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. The dam should give him enough stamina to last in longer-distance races.