Midnight Bisou strikes for minor Azeri Stakes upset of Elate

Different horse, but same jockey.

Hall of Famer Mike Smith once again bested multiple Grade 1 winner Elate and Jose Ortiz in the filly and mare division, this time aboard Midnight Bisou in Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Two of Elate’s toughest losses came at the hands of Smith and retired champion Abel Tasman in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga the past two Saratoga meets.

In the Azeri, Midnight Bisou sprung from a tightly bunched pack, charging up the rail late. Elate was starting to roll on the outside and passed reining filly and mare sprint champion Shamrock Rose, but the effort was not enough to catch Midnight Bisou, who finished a length in front.

The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.74 with Midnight Bisou off at 6-5 and Elate at even money.

“This mare, not only is she extremely talented, but (trainer) Steve Asmussen, (assistant) Scott Blasi and the whole crew — they just had her dead on,” Smith said. “She was so good today. Halfway down the back stretch she took a big breather at that point… It’s just a matter of planning out a trip from there and getting a place to run.

“A seam opened up just before the eighth pole. When it did, I basically just dropped her head for a second and she was gone.”

Each of the Top 3 appeared eligible to return for the $750,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on Sunday, April 14, where champion Monomoy Girl, whose victories include last year’s Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff, is expected to make her seasonal debut.

“Bring it on, baby,” co-owner Jeff Bloom said. “We’re ready. Let’s do it.”

Midnight Bisou has faced Monomoy Girl four times, beating her in September’s Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx when the stewards disqualified Monomoy Girl to second for interference. Monomoy Girl crossed the wire a neck in front of Midnight Bisou.

Bloom, who campaigns Midnight Bisou under Bloom Racing Stable, LLC with Madaket Stables LLC and Allen Racing LLC, purchased the filly as a 2-year-old for a bargain $80,000 at the OBS April sale. Her earnings are just shy of the $2 million mark and she has never finished off the board in 13 starts.

The Azeri kept Midnight Bisou, a 4-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute, 2-for-2 this season. She began the year with a victory in the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) on Jan. 27.

“She’s actually grown up a little bit,” Bloom said. “I don’t know if it’s the right word, but maybe a little bit stronger. Mentally, she’s always been advanced in terms of her mental maturity and her composure. But I think she’s a little bit stronger and maybe even herself has more confidence. You can see it.”

Finishing off the board was Tapa Tapa Tapa, who was unhurried as she set opening fractions in 24.51 and 48.81, and Grade 1 winner Eskimo Kisses. Midnight Bisou was in behind Shamrock Rose and Elate, but Smith maneuvered her to the inside as Tapa Tapa Tapa faded in the stretch.

“It’s like I always tell people: When you have Mike Smith on the back of your horse,” Bloom said, “you don’t have to worry about anything regardless of the pace scenario or the way the race is shaping up. He’s always a couple of jumps ahead. He knows this filly so well.”

Midnight Bisou has been training at Asmussen’s Fair Grounds base before shipping for the Azeri.

“It’s all Midnight Bisou,” the Hall of Fame conditioner said. “She’s a very special mare. She’s been training incredibly well all winter. Scott (Blasi) has had her in New Orleans and Angel (Garcia) has been getting on her. She’s been spot on and looked beautiful.

“I thought she proved her quality today. Today’s Azeri had four Grade 1 winners in it and for her to come out on top is very special.”