Talk Veuve to Me wraps up Alabama prep

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – As the exercise rider of Royal Delta, Rodolphe Brisset already has been associated with one Alabama winner. As the trainer of Talk Veuve to Me, Brisset hopes to be associated with a second.

On Monday, Brisset, serving as the exercise rider, guided Talk Veuve to Me through a four-furlong workout in 47.95 seconds over the Oklahoma training track in preparation for Saturday’s Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama, the marquee race of the Saratoga season for 3-year-old fillies.

Talk Veuve to Me, authoritative winner of the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks last time out, started about a length behind Tres Equis, who was ridden by Julien Leparoux. She followed Tres Equis until upper stretch and finished slightly in front at the wire before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.81 and six furlongs in 1:14.16.

“I put Julien in front of her just to make sure we didn’t go too fast, she just waited behind, came up to him, and we finished well and galloped out really good,” Brisset said. “Her last three breezes, she’s given us all the right signs.

“We are out of our comfort zone because we’re not at home at Keeneland. She’s been breezing a tick faster than what she showed us at home, but she does everything kind of easy. It should be fun Saturday.”

Brisset says he’s “more confident” in Talk Veuve to Me’s ability to get the 1 1/4 miles of the Alabama than he was Royal Delta because of how aggressive Royal Delta could be. Royal Delta, who was trained by the Hall of Famer Bill Mott, went on to win 12 of 22 starts, including two runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, and earn $4.8 million.

“Can’t compare both,” Brisset said. “I just hope she’s as good as Royal.”

A field of seven is expected for the Alabama, topped by Midnight Bisou, the Mother Goose winner who on Monday worked a half-mile in 51.41 seconds over the Oklahoma training track. She went in relatively equal quarter splits of 25.66 seconds and 25.75. Midnight Bisou is coming off a runner-up finish to Monomoy Girl in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks here on July 22.

“She has been beautifully consistent from the day we took her over,” said trainer Steve Asmussen, who received the filly following her third-place finish to Monomoy Girl in the Kentucky Oaks. “That is her best quality.”

In the Alabama, Asmussen will also send out She’s a Julie, the Grade 3 Iowa Oaks winner. On Sunday, She’s a Julie worked a half-mile in 49.67 seconds over the Oklahoma training track.

Others expected for the Alabama include Auspicious Babe, Coach Rocks, Eskimo Kisses, and Figarella’s Queen. Alberobello was possible.