Midnight Bisou being sent to Asmussen's Churchill stable

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The long-range goal for Midnight Bisou this year remains the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, but the path she will take to get there is still being determined, trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday, the day after Midnight Bisou won the Grade 1, $750,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

Midnight Bisou won her third straight race in the Apple Blossom, pushing past Grade 3 winner Escape Clause late for a nose victory in the 1 1/16-mile race in which she gave the runner-up five pounds. Midnight Bisou was scheduled to travel to Asmussen’s division at Churchill Downs on Tuesday after being based at the trainer’s barn at Oaklawn.

Asmussen said at this point her campaign going forward is being discussed between the ownership of Bloom Racing, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing.

“I plan on sending her to Churchill and see how she trains,” Asmussen said. “That will be her home base for the summer, with no urgency. Obviously, we have ideas in our head, but we’ll let her do all the talking.”

Midnight Bisou, who went over $2 million in earnings Sunday, has won her three starts this year at 4. She opened her season in January with a win in the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston and proceeded to win the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri last month at Oaklawn before taking the Apple Blossom. Mike Smith has been aboard for all three races and has played a role in her development from age 3 to 4, Asmussen said.

“She’s more horse now than she was then,” Asmussen said. “I think her confidence level is better. She’s got a great demeanor and is very consistent and everything, but [is] just putting it together. I think that Mike has a lot to do with that, just the way he handles her, the respect that he shows her. It’s just been beautiful to watch where she’s at right now.

“She’s truly special.”

Escape Clause to Arizona

Escape Clause was scheduled to head home to her Turf Paradise base in Arizona on Tuesday with plans for her next start to be determined, trainer Don Schnell said Monday. He said she emerged from her runner-up finish in the Apple Blossom in excellent fashion.

“I could run her again this afternoon,” he joked Monday. “She’s a monster. She’s tough.”

On a serious note, Schnell said Escape Clause is nominated to the Grade 1, $500,000 La Troienne at Churchill Downs but likely will pass on the May 3 race.

“That’s in a little less than three weeks and because of the long ship over here and the hard race, we’ll give her a little more time,” Schnell said. “We’ll take her back to Phoenix and give her a little break.”

Down the road, Schnell said Escape Clause will be considered for the Grade 1, $500,000 Gamely, a 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares May 27 at Santa Anita.

“I do believe she’s an even better turf than dirt horse,” Schnell said. “Of course, she’s not that bad on the dirt, either.”

Escape Clause set a track record for a mile in the $100,000 Harry Henson last month at Sunland Park, covering the two turns in hand in 1:34. She then fought Midnight Bisou to the wire in the Apple Blossom.

“It’s disappointing she didn’t win, but to come that close you have to be proud of her,” Schnell said. “She ran so game and tried all the way. In all of her starts, she’s never not tried.’

Escape Clause is 20 for 31, with her biggest win coming in the Grade 3 La Canada in January at Santa Anita.