Mitole, Midnight Bisou have workouts for Asmussen

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Even on a relatively quiet morning in Saratoga, the stars come out to play.

Mitole, winner of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, and Midnight Bisou, the leading older filly and mare in training, with five graded stakes wins this year, both put in workouts early Monday morning in preparation for upcoming stakes engagements, most likely at Saratoga.

Mitole, who had a seven-race winning streak snapped when he finished third in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt here on July 27, worked a half-mile in 51.56 seconds over the Oklahoma training track. After going off in 24.63 seconds, he was taken in hand by his rider and finished the move in 26.93.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Mitole is likely to run back in the Grade 1, $600,000 Forego here on Aug. 24.

“Very happy with how he came out of the Vanderbilt and he’s very likely to go back in the Forego off of how he came out of the Vanderbilt,” Asmussen said.

Prior to Mitole breezing, Asmussen sent out Midnight Bisou for a five-furlong move that went in 1:02.77. She went her first three furlongs in 38.09 and came home in 24.68 while galloping out six furlongs in 1:16.97.

:: Get PPs, Clocker Reports, picks, and more from DRF's Saratoga/Del Mar One-Stop Shop

That was Midnight Bisou’s first work since she won the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park on July 20. She is preparing for a start in the Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign here on Aug. 24.

“She was smooth as glass. She went over the racetrack really well, handled nicely, and came back really good,” Asmussen said.

She’s a Julie, third in the Grade 3 Shuvee here on July 21, worked five furlongs in 1:02.83, getting her last quarter in 25.57 seconds. She is also possible for the Personal Ensign.

“She’s training well and has run solid races here at Saratoga,” Asmussen said.

Last summer, She’s a Julie finished second, a neck in front of Midnight Bisou, in the Grade 1 Alabama.

Asmussen also worked a trio of 2-year-olds, all of whom have won here at the meet. Zyramid, a maiden winner on July 13, worked three furlongs in in 38.48 in preparation for Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special.

Basin, a maiden winner here on July 21, worked a half-mile in 51.98 seconds, while Shoplifted, a maiden winner here on July 27, went a half-mile in 51.27. Both are being considered for the Grade 1 Hopeful.