Midnight Bisou goes from last to first to win Houston Ladies Classic

Midnight Bisou closed with a flourish to win her 4-year-old debut on Sunday in the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston. It was her first start since running third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

The Houston Ladies Classic for fillies and mares was one of six stakes on the card, with the races worth a total of $725,000. Earlier on the meet’s richest program, Bigger Picture won the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup for the third year in a row.

Midnight Bisou closed from last Sunday for a three-quarter-length win over Moonlit Garden. It was another neck back to Heavenhasmynikki in third.

“I certainly didn’t need to cut it that close,” said Mike Smith, who rode the Grade 1-winning Midnight Bisou.

“It was me that left her with a little too much to do.”

There was a reason for the trip.

Midnight Bisou ($2.40) could see the whole field early in the 1 1/16-mile race as Heavenhasmynikki set fractions of 24.68 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.29 for the half-mile, and 1:13.38 for six furlongs. Midnight Bisou advanced down the backside, traveled three wide on the final turn, and pushed past the leaders in the later stages to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:44.52.

“We were really getting forced out in the first turn,” Smith said, adding that he was concerned he might get pushed six or seven wide in the filly’s first race back while spotting weight to the field.

“I said, ‘Let’s make it a little easier on her,’ and dropped in behind.”

In the stretch, Midnight Bisou put in a determined bid to push past Heavenhasmynikki and Moonlit Garden nearing the wire. She was, however, just getting warmed up.

“Once she got going, her best stride was probably two strides past the wire,” Smith said. “She hit another gear then.”

Jeff Bloom of Bloom Racing, which co-owns Midnight Bisou with Madaket Stables and Allen Racing, and trainer Steve Asmussen were pleased with the effort Sunday.

“She got the job done,” Bloom said. “This was a great spot Steve picked out to ease her back into her campaign this year. What a great way to start her 4-year-old campaign.”

Asmussen said a goal for Midnight Bisou is the Grade 1, $700,000 Apple Blossom in April at Oaklawn. He said she likely would have one start before that race. Midnight Bisou prepped for the Houston Ladies Classic at Fair Grounds. Asmussen also has divisions at Oaklawn and Sam Houston.

Midnight Bisou has now won six stakes – all graded races. She was an Eclipse Award finalist for champion 3-year-old filly of 2018. Midnight Bisou earned $180,000 for her win Sunday and has a career record of six wins from 12 starts for earnings of $1,745,000. She is a daughter of Midnight Lute and the Grade 3-winning mare Diva Delite.