Midnight Bisou puts in sharp drill for Saudi Cup

Midnight Bisou worked five furlongs in 1:00.20, second-fastest of 52 works at the distance Sunday morning at Fair Grounds and remains on track to start Feb. 29 in the $20 million Saudi Cup. The champion older female of 2019 has been breezing steadily here in New Orleans since December, the only hiccup whatsover in her Saudi Cup preparation a period of very wet weather that led to a 10-day gap between works.

Sunday, Midnight Bisou worked in company, starting off a few lengths behind her workmate and finishing a couple of lengths in front. "She looks as fast as I've ever seen her, at least watching her breeze," said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen.

Midnight Bisou won her first seven starts of 2019 before finishing second to Blue Prize in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. She could race in the Dubai World Cup on March 28 following the Saudi Cup on Feb. 29 if things go the right way. Midnight Bisou is scheduled to work again Feb. 16, fly to Florida on Feb. 17, and then go on to Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18.

She'll be joined on that journey by two other Asmussen-trained horses: Engage, who runs in the $1.5 million Saudi Sprint, and Rowdy Yates, who goes in the $800,000 Saudi Derby.

There were other workers of some note on a busy Fair Grounds morning, including British Idiom, champion 2-year-old filly of 2019, who breezed a half-mile in 48.60, her final drill for the Feb. 15 Rachel Alexandra Stakes.

Tom's d'Etat had his second timed workout of 2020, going a haif-mile in 51.80.

Lady Apple, winner of the Houston Ladies Classic last month, went a half in 51.20.

Mr. Money, unraced since running below form in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, went three furlongs in 37.60, his second work after a layoff.