Midnight Bisou returns in style with Fleur de Lis romp
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Midnight Bisou returned to her old Kentucky home and finally found her way to the winner's circle here, cruising to an 8 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $200,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes on Saturday evening at Churchill Downs.
The Fleur de Lis, which awarded the winner a berth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff set for November at Keeneland, was Midnight Bisou's return to U.S. racing after finishing second to Maximum Security in the inaugural Saudi Cup on Feb. 29.
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This was the 13th graded stakes victory for favored Midnight Bisou ($3), who has earned more than $7.3 million. Seven of those graded wins came last season, earning her the Eclipse Award as outstanding older female. However, Saturday marked the first victory at Churchill Downs for the 5-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute who runs for Bloom Racing, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing. She finished third in both the 2018 Kentucky Oaks and Breeders' Cup Distaff beneath the twin spires.
“She’s a really special mare," said trainer Steve Asmussen, who also won the 2010 edition of the Fleur de Lis with Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra. "To come back in that sort of style is just tremendous. She has such an amazing talent and such a great relationship with [regular rider Mike Smith]. She beat a wonderful-looking group of mares. We have nothing but respect towards them.”
Serengeti Empress, winner of the 2019 Kentucky Oaks, flaunted her speed early, posting an opening quarter of 23.18 seconds and bouncing away to lead by 2 1/2 seconds through the half in 46.15 seconds. Midnight Bisou was allowed to settle into stride early by Smith, and had moved up to third of her own accord after the half.
Serengeti Empress began to widen her lead over the pursuing Motion Emotion leaving the backstretch, and was still six lengths clear through six furlongs in a snappy 1:09.74. But midway around the far turn, Midnight Bisou, with her ears flapping, casually blitzed to the lead, with Serengeti Empress and Motion Emotion offering little resistance. Midnight Bisou took a four-length lead into the stretch, and once she was shaken up a bit by Smith, the outcome was never in doubt.
The final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:48.99
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“She’s just an amazing mare," Smith said. "I actually had took the lead a little before I wanted to. We were planning on laying a little bit closer, but the way Serengeti Empress was winging it on the front end, we were a little further back. She’s just incredibly special.”
Motion Emotion, the second-longest shot on the board, ran on well to be second by 1 1/2 lengths. Fellow longshot Another Broad rallied to edge the fading Serengeti Empress by a half-length for third.
“We got the lead, and she was just doing her thing," said Joe Talamo, who was aboard Serengeti Empress. "She was cruising up front and then at the quarter pole she just didn’t have that extra punch.”