Midnight Bisou's first win comes in Santa Ynez Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Without Dream Tree for competition, Midnight Bisou won her first race and first stakes simultaneously in Sunday’s Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

The style of the win suggested Midnight Bisou may be competitive with Dream Tree in future races. Dream Tree is unbeaten in three starts after a win in the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos last month.

Midnight Bisou was beaten a nose by Dream Tree in a maiden race at Santa Anita on Oct. 27 and in the Desi Arnaz Stakes at Del Mar on Nov. 18. Despite losing, those races made Midnight Bisou a leading contender in the $201,035 Santa Ynez Stakes. She was the 9-5 second choice in a field of eight.

Ridden for the first time by Mike Smith, Midnight Bisou stalked the pace to early stretch before taking the lead with a wide rally in the final furlong. Midnight Bisou ($5.60) pulled clear in the final sixteenth to win by 4 1-2 lengths over 25-1 Steph Being Steph.

Win the War, the 8-5 favorite, finished third after racing within a half-length of the lead in early stretch.

Midnight Bisou ran seven furlongs in 1:23.40.

Smith said he was impressed with Midnight Bisou’s ability to run near the front after rallying from off the pace in her first two starts. Midnight Bisou trailed pacesetter War Heroine by less than two lengths for the first half-mile.

“I was surprised she showed that much speed,” Smith said. “She’s sharp right now. I would have thought she would come from farther back.”

When Midnight Bisou reached the front, Smith felt an obligation to stay active on the filly even though she was clear.

“It was more for me,” he said.

Steph Being Steph finished a nose in front of Win the War, who won her first two starts at Woodbine last fall, including the Glorious Song Stakes by 11 1/4 lengths at seven furlongs Nov. 19. Steph Being Steph, who won the Golden Gate Debutante on Nov. 24, raced on the rail throughout the Santa Ynez.

“I got a lot of pressure from the inside post,” jockey Stewart Elliott said. ‘She had to run the whole race, but she was very game.”

Win the War was followed by Yesterday’s News, Allianna, War Heroine, Just a Smidge, and Streetwithnoname.

Artistic Diva, the undefeated winner of the Anoakia Stakes here last October, was scratched Sunday morning. Trainer John Sadler said in a text message Sunday that Artistic Diva was sidelined with a hock infection.

Midnight Bisou, by Midnight Lute, races for Bloom Racing and Allen Racing and was purchased for $80,000 last April at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in training. She has earned $150,000 for the partnership and trainer Bill Spawr.