Mother Goose could be next for Midnight Bisou

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Midnight Bisou had her first breeze since finishing third as the Kentucky Oaks favorite when going an easy half-mile Thursday in 51.80 seconds at Churchill Downs for her new trainer, Steve Asmussen.

Asmussen said he hopes to run Midnight Bisou in the Grade 1 Mother Goose on June 30 at Belmont Park if she progresses in her training as the month unfolds. Midnight Bisou, owned by Allen Racing and Bloom Racing Stable, was based in California with trainer Bill Spawr for her first six starts, including a sweep of the major Oaks preps at Santa Anita, before being turned over to Asmussen with the intent of racing her in the top divisional races on the East Coast during the second half of the year.

“Obviously, she’s a freakishly talented filly and we’re very fortunate to have her,” Asmussen said.

Midnight Bisou, a dark bay Kentucky-bred by Midnight Lute, will be on a regular work schedule when being regrouped from the May 4 Oaks, in which she was never in serious contention when having a wide trip before rallying to finish 4 1/4 lengths back.

Meanwhile, Asmussen said he has decided not to send Switzerland, winner of the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint on the May 19 Preakness undercard at Pimlico, on a charter flight to New York for the Grade 2 True North on Friday at Belmont Park.

“Off his lifetime-best race, the True North is a little too quick back,” Asmussen said.

Belmont Stakes hopeful Tenfold, who was to breeze Saturday at Churchill, will head the Asmussen contingent making the trip Tuesday to New York, along with the speedy 3-year-old Mitole, who could be favored in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens off his latest romp in the Chick Lang on Preakness Day.