Midnight Bisou works for Saudi Cup

NEW ORLEANS – Midnight Bisou, the certain older female dirt champion of 2019, continued her preparation for the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 29 when she worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 on Wednesday at Fair Grounds.

Working during the short window reserved for breezing horses just after the morning renovation break, Midnight Bisou was put to no pressure while sailing solo through her drill over a good, sealed racing surface.

“It was what she needed for where she is right now,” trainer Steve Asmussen said just after watching the work from the track apron.

Midnight Bisou was credited with five furlongs in 1:02.20 in her work on Jan. 5, but that breeze was more a half-mile with a furlong gallop-out, Asmussen said.

The gap between Midnight Bisou’s works extended to 10 days because of wet weather in New Orleans. The track surface remained wet for Wednesday training because of fog and high humidity, not rain.

Midnight Bisou will have a stronger next work and will go in company for that work or the following drill, Asmussen said. The 5-year-old mare is back on a steady work pattern following her second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, her first loss after seven victories – three in Grade 1’s – during 2019.

Midnight Bisou departs Fair Grounds on Feb. 16 and flies Feb. 17 from Florida for the Saudi Cup, a dirt race over about 1 1/8 miles. If she runs well there, she could ship to Dubai for the $12 million World Cup on March 28.

Asmussen said he also plans to send Engage, most recently fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, to the $1.5 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint, a dirt race over about six furlongs.