Midnight Bisou 'exudes confidence' for Coaching Club American Oaks

Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables and Allen Racing's Midnight Bisou will go up against Monomoy Girl for the first time since the Kentucky Oaks in Sunday's Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga in a race that can potentially determine the leader in the 3-year-old filly division.

The 102nd running of the Coaching Club American Oaks, contested at 1 1/8 miles, will feature Midnight Bisou in her first start since winning the Grade 2 Mother Goose by six lengths on June 30 at Belmont.

Asmussen took over the training duties from Bill Spawr after the Midnight Lute filly ran third in the Kentucky Oaks on May 4 at Churchill, finishing behind Wonder Gadot and Monomoy Girl.

"She exudes confidence and I think that's continued and we expect her to do well," Asmussen said. "She's well aware of who she is. The way she carries herself; everything about her is class."

Heading into the Kentucky Oaks, Midnight Bisou won the Grade 2 Santa Ynez and the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel before winning the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 7, with all three wins at Santa Anita.

In the Mother Goose, Midnight Bisou stayed near the pace before extending away in the stretch to defeat Road to Victory, the only horse to get the better of Monomoy Girl in her eight starts. Midnight Bisou's win earned her a personal-best 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

"We're well aware of how good the competition is, but hopefully the weather will be nice. We'd like it for it to be a nice day and not have an off track," Asmussen said.