Midnight Bisou beats small, stellar field in Azeri Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Midnight Bisou improved her record this year to 2 for 2 when she got through along the inside to defeat a first-class field of fillies and mares in the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

Elate rallied for second in the 1 1/16-mile race, beaten a length, while it was another length back to champion Shamrock Rose in third.

There were four Grade 1 winners in the field, which was reduced to five with the defection of Summer’s Indy for a Sunday allowance at Oaklawn.

Midnight Bisou ($4.40), a two-time Grade 1 winner who was a finalist for champion 3-year-old filly of 2018, launched her year in the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic on Jan. 27 at Sam Houston. She closed from last for a three-quarter-length win, but on Saturday, she sat closer to the pace.

Midnight Bisou settled in fourth, about 2 1/2 lengths behind leader Tapa Tapa Tapa, who took the field through fractions of 24.51 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.81 for the half-mile, and 1:12.84 for six furlongs. Midnight Bisou had to wait along the inside before getting a clear run, then shuttled home the final sixteenth of a mile to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:42.72.

Mike Smith was aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen.

“She’s a very special mare,” Asmussen said. “She’s been training incredibly well all winter. She’s been spot on and looked beautiful. I thought she proved her quality today. Today’s Azeri had four Grade 1 winners in it, and for her to come out on top is very special.”

Tapa Tapa Tapa finished fourth, 4 3/4 lengths behind Shamrock Rose. Eskimo Kisses was fifth while making her first start since October.

Elate was making her first start since August, and trainer Bill Mott said he liked the interest the 5-year-old mare showed, as she was up in the race and then put in a strong stretch run. Mott also noted the depth of the field she faced for a comeback race. He said she will now return to Florida.

Midnight Bisou is a daughter of Midnight Lute who races for Bloom Racing Stables, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing. She earned $210,000 for the win to improve her record to seven wins from 13 starts for earnings of $1,955,000.

Midnight Bisou’s connections would like her to advance to the Grade 1, $750,000 Apple Blososm Handicap on April 14.

One race after the Azeri, Asmussen won the first division of the Rebel Stakes with Long Range Toddy.