Sharp works for Mitole, Midnight Bisou

For the second straight morning in Saratoga, more than 300 horses put in timed workouts over the three different tracks in Saratoga.

Among the bigger names to breeze were Mitole and Midnight Bisou, a duo that has combined to win their last 11 starts for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Mitole, the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.09 over the Oklahoma training track in preparation for a start in the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 27.

Working by himself under exercise rider Angel Garcia, Mitole went off in hand in an opening eighth in 13.12 seconds. He continued on through a quarter in 25.55 seconds, three furlongs in 37.47, came home in 23.63, and then galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.94 and seven furlongs in 1:27.41.

“He’s better than other horses,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “If it’s a physical event, I like his chances. He’s got an unbelievably good demeanor, unbelievable attitude. The horse is a blessing. It’s great to see him traveling so good right now.”

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Mitole worked about 30 minutes after Midnight Bisou, the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps winner, worked a half-mile by herself in 49.67 seconds. Midnight Bisou went her first quarter in 25.03 and her second quarter in 24.64.

Midnight Bisou is going to make her next start in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park next Saturday. Midnight Bisou ran twice at Saratoga last year, finishing second in the Coaching Club American Oaks and third in the Alabama. This year, her connections only want to run once at Saratoga, in the Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign here on Aug. 24. Midnight Bisou is also nominated to next Sunday’s Grade 3 Shuvee here.

“We just felt like [the Molly Pitcher] is probably a better spot for her prep coming into the Personal Ensign, we were okay in either spot really,” said Jeff Bloom, head of Bloom Racing, which owns controlling interest in the filly. “She ran at Saratoga twice last year, it probably wasn’t her favorite surface but she still ran okay. This race kind of sets us up better for the next one with one less race over the surface.”

While Midnight Bisou heads to Monmouth, Asmussen will still be represented in Sunday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee with She’s a Julie, who finished in front of Midnight Bisou when second in last year’s Grade 1 Alabama here.

On Monday, at Saratoga, She’s a Julie worked a half-mile in 48.89 seconds over the Oklahoma training track, getting her last quarter in 24.07 seconds.

“She loves it up here,” Asmussen said. “The Shuvee’s an excellent spot for her.”

This year, She's a Julie is 2 for 3 with a victory in the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill in early May.