Division Rankings: Midnight Bisou proves plenty in Saudi Cup

If ever a second-place finish felt like a win, it was the outstanding runner-up performance by Midnight Bisou in last Saturday's Saudi Cup. The 5-year-old mare showed that she not only could hang with the best dirt horses in the world, but that she is one of the best dirt horses, male or female, in the world.

See all Division Ranking articles here.

Proving naysayers wrong is nothing new for the daughter of Midnight Lute. At age 3, she raced in the shadow of Monomoy Girl, and last year at age 4, it seemed many were slow to warm to her. 

Remember the doubters who said she couldn't win past 8.5 furlongs? What about the fact that despite winning her first five starts of 2019, it was Elate who was favored over Midnight Bisou in last summer's Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga? Midnight Bisou had already defeated Elate twice earlier in the season, but somehow Midnight Bisou didn't get the respect she deserved. She proceeded to quiet those critics with her sixth straight win, defeating Elate again.

After a long campaign which saw her win graded stakes over five tracks, she shipped to California for a second in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. That runner-up felt more like a defeat. You could argue that she was left too much to do in the stretch at Santa Anita Park. I tend to believe that the long campaign caught up with her. If not for that result, she would have been a serious contender for Horse of the Year. As it was, Midnight Bisou still made the top three on my ballot based off a stellar season: seven wins from eight starts.

In the days leading up to the Saudi Cup, however, I was one who doubted her chances. Midnight Bisou's speed figures were a cut below many of the main players entered, and I was concerned that last season may have taken its toll. Without a prep going in to see how she would respond at age 5, she seemed up against it.

But Midnight Bisou proved once again that she was up to the challenge and silenced her few remaining doubters. She has now opened the door up to a multitude of options for her connections thanks to her stirring runner-up finish to Maximum Security. Several races will be on the table for her, including more matchups with the boys.

So, enjoy this. It's rare for the sport to not only have a top female dirt horse good enough to run with the males, but for said female to have the connections willing to do so. With Midnight Bisou we have both.

Over the past 20 years there have been few female dirt horses to take on the very best on a grand stage and have success. Rags to Riches in the 2007 Belmont, Zenyatta's Breeders' Cup Classic exploits and Rachel Alexandra's Preakness, Haskell, and Woodward wins come to mind.

Although Midnight Bisou didn't win the Saudi Cup, I rank her effort right up there with these aforementioned horses. I also believe her run opens the doors for others in the future; she showed it can be done on the world stage.

Maximum Security may have earned most of the headlines after his gritty Saudi Cup win, but credit also goes to Midnight Bisou for helping make the inaugural Saudi Cup a truly memorable race.

Here's a full look at the updated Division Rankings...

Older Dirt Males

1.  Maximum Security - Showed his grit and heart again in his Saudi Cup win where he was wide throughout, running more than 50 feet farther than the runner-up. Ten starts into his career, he has finished behind one horse. With the Dubai World Cup (G1) off the table, he will ship back to the U.S. with the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland the year-end goal.

2.  Mucho Gusto - Much improved from last season, his Saudi Cup trip was eventful. He would have likely finished third instead of fourth had his jockey, Irad Ortiz, Jr., not been so concerned with Maximum Security for the entirety of the race.

3.  Tacitus - Ran well in his first start of 2020 finishing a close fifth in the Saudi Cup. With Maximum Security and Midnight Bisou passing on Dubai, this guy will be one of the horses to beat.

4.  Code of Honor - Still hasn't posted a work this season, but big things will be expected this year for the inconsistent son of Noble Mission. May get another shot against Maximum Security, who he hasn't beaten across the wire in two tries.

5.  Gift Box - Seven-year-old won the San Antonio Stakes (G2) last December defeating Midcourt who then came back to win the San Pasqual (G2) last month. These two meet again this weekend in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Next 5: Mr. Freeze, Tom's d'Etat, Spun to Run, Warrior's Charge, Midcourt, McKinzie.

Older Dirt Females

1.  Midnight Bisou – Was simply outstanding in her Saudi Cup run. The result opens new doors for the daughter of Midnight Lute. Will head back to the states where she has a multitude of options now on the table.

2.  Lady Apple - A wide gap is between her and Midnight Bisou. She started the season off with a win in the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) while defeating her rivals from last season, Serengeti Empress and Street Band. Look for her to turn up next in Oaklawn's Azeri (G2).

3.  Serengeti Empress - She followed her strong third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Distaff by just fading from the pace in the Houston Ladies Classic. A real threat around two turns and also sprinting. Will likely meet Lady Apple again on March 14.

4.  Dunbar Road - Last year's Alabama Stakes (G1) winner, excelling over various distances, should contend for the top spot this season. She's back in training with Chad Brown in Florida and is targeting a return in the La Troienne (G1) on May 1.

5.  Come Dancing – Was great sprinting last year but also showed she could run longer, as evidenced by her runner-up finish to Midnight Bisou in the Ogden Phipps (G1) on Belmont day. Look for her in the Derby City Distaff (G1), formerly the Humana Distaff, on Kentucky Derby day.

Next 5:  Guarana, Street Band, Ollie's Candy, Go Google Yourself, Pink Sands.

 
3-Year-Old-Males

1.  Tiz the Law - Was flattered by Ete Indien's runaway win in the Fountain of Youth (G2). Remember, Tiz the Law defeated that rival by three lengths in the Holy Bull (G3) in his seasonal debut in early February. The only knock I have on him is that he will only run twice before the Kentucky Derby.

2.  Nadal - I may have him ranked a bit high after his first stakes win, but I really feel like this guy is for real. He should relish the longer distances after the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2), and with only two starts in his career, I like the decision to ship him to Arkansas for the Rebel (G2) in his next start.

3.  Sole Volante - Loved his win in the Sam F. Davis (G3) over Independence Hall, but I feel like his best distances will be between 8-9 furlongs, not all of 1 1/4 miles. Will run this weekend in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

4.  Ete Indien - Romped by more than eight lengths in wire-to-wire fashion in the Fountain of Youth for his first stakes win. Still think he may end up better on the grass, but he will try Tiz the Law again in the Florida Derby for his next start.

5.  Independence Hall - I wasn't as impressed with his runner-up effort in Tampa as others were. Will he like added ground? Would have liked an easier spot for his next start but his connections have indicated the Florida Derby (G1) will be next. 

Next 5: Thousand Words, Modernist, Authentic, Mr. Monomy, Storm the Court.

3-Year-Old-Females

1.  Finite - Overpowered champion British Idiom and the rest of the field in the Rachel Alexandra (G2). The Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) is likely next.

2.  British Idiom - Sure it was her first start since last fall, but she never threatened Finite, and I don't believe the result changes if they meet again in their next starts. May re-route to Keeneland's Ashland Stakes (G1) for her next start.

3.  Donna Veloce - Big things are expected this season after close runner-up finishes in two Grade 1 races in just three career starts. Will go next in the Santa Ysabel (G3) this weekend.

4.  Venetian Harbor - Won the Las Virgenes (G2) by more than nine lengths in her stakes debut and could be something special. Connections are waiting for he Santa Anita Oaks (G2) on April 4 for her next start.

5.  Tonalist's Shape - With her Davona Dale (G2) win last weekend at Gulfstream, she ups her record to five wins in five starts. Will be interesting to see how she handles a race outside of South Florida.

Next 5: Perfect Alibi, Wicked Whisper, Frank's Rockette, Inspiressa, Harvey's Lil Goil.

Turf Males

1.  Zulu Alpha - Followed up his Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) win with a victory last weekend in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream. Deserves this spot right now, but I feel like there are others who will contend.

2.  Annals of Time - The Sword Dancer (G1) winner last year, he could be the one to beat in this division for Bricks and Mortar's connections if he stays healthy.

3.  United - Almost pulled off a shocking upset in the Breeders' Cup Turf, losing to the eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar by a head. Then won the San Marcos (G2) to get his 2020 season underway. Will go next in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) in late March.

4.  Sadler’s Joy – This 8-year-old almost always comes with his patented late run. Was a closing third in last weekend's Mac Diarmida.

5.  Arklow - Winner of the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Belmont Park last fall, he disappointed in the Pegasus World Cup Turf when fifth.

Next 5: Instilled Regard, Bowies Hero, Mo Forza, Sacred Life, Admission Office.

Turf Females

1.  Uni – Not much separates this one and Sistercharlie from holding this top spot. Her first big target of 2020 looks like the Just a Game (G1) on Belmont Day.

2.  Sistercharlie – Has only lost one race since June of 2018, in last November's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Connections have a campaign planned that could include a run against the boys in the Arlington Million (G1) in late summer. In the meantime, she's back in light training at Palm Meadows gearing up for her 6-year-old campaign.

3.  Got Stormy – Simply didn't have it when finishing fourth, beaten two lengths in the Endeavour Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay in her seasonal debut. Her connections have made the bold decision to run her back against males on Saturday in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.

4.  Starship Jubilee – Already 2-for-2 this season, she goes again this weekend in the Hillsborough (G2). Overall, she has won four of her last five starts and is a sleeper in a strong division. 

5.  Magic Wand – Tried valiantly in her first dirt start in the Saudi Cup, but it wasn't to be as she checked in ninth. Previously, the globetrotting mare ran big race in the Pegasus World Cup Turf, finishing second after surprisingly setting the pace. Will head back to the turf now.

Next 5:  Rushing Fall, Cambier Parc, Beau Recall, Juliet Foxtrot, Jolie Olimpica.

Male Sprinters

1.  Firenze Fire – Moves to the No.1 spot for now after Imperial Hint's no-show effort in Saudi Arabia. Perhaps this is the year this guy contends for the Eclipse. In career form, he started his season off with an easy win in the General George (G3) at Laurel Park. He has won all three of his starts since his fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

2.  Shancelot - For all the hype, he still has only one stakes win. Breeders' Cup Sprint runner-up seems like he could contend for an Eclipse in this division. Could make his seasonal debut in Dubai later this month.

3.  Mind Control - Started off 2020 with a win in the Toboggan Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. Will run this weekend in the Tom Fool (G3), which will propel him back to Grade 1 company, where he's won twice in his career.

4.  Whitmore - Started his year off with a runner-up effort in the King Cotton Stakes at Oaklawn. Will go next in either the Hot Springs Stakes this weekend or the Count Fleet Sprint (G3) on April 11, both also over his favorite track.

5.  Imperial Hint – Now age 7, he was never involved in last weekend's Saudi Sprint finishing in 12th. Has faltered as the favorite in his last two starts. May have lost a step.

Next 5: New York Central, Cistron, Bobby's Wicked One, Engage, Share the Upside.

 
Female Sprinters

1.  Come Dancing – Inherits the top spot here after the sudden retirement of Covfefe. We'll see what kind Come Dancing can be later this season.

2.  Hard Not to Love - Covfefe leaves a huge void at the top of this division. This Grade 1 winner in 2019 returned a winner in the Santa Monica (G2) at Santa Anita. Five for six in her career, she could move to No.1 with a win next out.

3.  Serengeti Empress - She was second to Covfefe sprinting in the Test (G1) last summer at Saratoga. This spring at Oaklawn Park it looks like she'll run around two turns.

4.  Mia Mischief - A Grade 1 winner from last year, she hasn't run since her win in the Dream Supreme Stakes last fall. Back on the work tab for her new owner, Stonestreet Stables, she is at the Fair Grounds and remains with Steve Asmussen.

5.  Pink Sands - In a division lacking depth, she cracks the top five. Won her only start this year sprinting in the Inside Information (G2) at Gulfstream. 

Next 5: Special Relativity, Spiced Perfection, Royal Charlotte, Break Even, Hotshot Anna.