Asmussen running both Mitole and Midnight Bisou on Saturday

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mitole looks to rebound from his first loss in over a year when he heads a field of six entered Wednesday for Saturday’s $600,000 Forego Stakes going seven furlongs at Saratoga.

The Forego is one of five Grade 1 stakes to be run on the undercard of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes.

Mitole, trained by Steve Asmussen for William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, won seven consecutive races, including the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, before finishing third behind Imperial Hint in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt here on July 27. Imperial Hint set a track record for six furlongs in that race.

Asmussen opted to run Mitole back in the Forego because of “how good he came out of the race.” Asmussen was quite pleased with Mitole’s half-mile workout in 49.97 seconds Monday over the Oklahoma training track.

Mitole’s main competition figures to come from Promises Fulfilled, who a year ago on this card won the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens for 3-year-olds. After getting beat twice by Mitole, Promises Fulfilled won the Grade 2 John A. Nerud Stakes at Belmont on July 6.

Recently, WinStar Farm bought half-interest in Promises Fulfilled from Robert J. Baron.

“I’ve always been a big fan of this horse with his speed and consistency,” said Elliott Walden, president and CEO of WinStar Farm. “He’s a horse we want to eventually stand [at stud], but we’re looking forward to racing him right now. He’s a Grade 1 winner and he’s also the only horse that’s ever been in front of Justify.”

Promises Fulfilled set the pace in the 2018 Kentucky Derby, stalked by Justify, who would go on to win the Derby and the Triple Crown.

Others entered in the Forego include Air Strike, supplemented to the race by owners Sol Kumin, Slam Dunk Racing, and Mike Nentwig; Firenze Fire; Killybegs Captain; and Bon Raison.

Midnight Bisou to get test in Personal Ensign

Midnight Bisou will put her 5-for-5 record this year for Asmussen on the line against the talented Elate and four others in Saturday’s Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles.

Midnight Bisou is undefeated (8 for 8) at 1 1/16 miles, but in a bit of a quirky stat is 0 for 4 in races at 1 1/8 miles or farther. In her three starts at 1 1/8 miles, all at age 3, she finished third in both the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff and second in Coaching Club American Oaks.

Elate is a two-time winner at 1 1/8 miles with victories in the Grade 1 Beldame and Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap. Elate, second in this race last year, is coming off a 4 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap at 1 1/4 miles.

The Personal Ensign, a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, also drew Coach Rocks, second to Midnight Bisou in the Molly Pitcher at Monmouth on July 20; Golden Award, winner of the Grade 3 Shuvee here on July 21; and Grade 1 stakes winners She’s a Julie and Wow Cat.