A Monomoy Girl-Midnight Bisou rematch may be on tap

If everything lines up right, we could see a rematch of Monomoy Girl and Midnight Bisou later this month at Churchill Downs.

The 5-year-old mares -- neither of which has missed the board in their careers -- last met in November 2018, as Monomoy Girl won the Breeders' Cup Distaff and Midnight Bisou finished third.

One race before that, the $1 million Cotillion (G1) at Parx Racing in September 2018, was a contentious battle between the two. Monomoy Girl, unbeaten at the time, crossed the line first -- a neck ahead of Midnight Bisou -- but was disqualified for interference and was declared second best to Midnight Bisou.

Their highly anticipated next meeting could come on June 27, in the $200,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2), a 1 1/8-mile event that presents a "Win and You're In" opportunity for the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Since the Breeders' Cup Distaff that sealed her status as champion 3-year-old filly, Monomoy Girl took off more a year and a half, re-emerging on May 16 at Churchill Downs, where the daughter of Tapizar prevailed in an allowance optional claiming race.

Midnight Bisou, meanwhile, followed the 2018 Breeders' Cup with seven straight graded stakes victories en route to the 2019 Eclipse Award as top older dirt female. Most recently, she was second in the inaugural Saudi Cup won by Maximum Security.

Trainer Brad Cox said Monday that the Fleur de Lis is "a possibility" for Monomoy Girl, as is the $150,000 Ruffian Stakes (G2), a one-mile trip on July 11 at Belmont. 

Cox said Monomoy Girl has "been training fine. I’m very happy with how she’s moving. She’ll probably breeze this weekend."

In her last work, she drilled four furlongs in 48:80 at Churchill Downs on May 30. Midnight Bisou, also stabled under the Twin Spires, is confirmed to be pointing for the Fleur de Lis.

Jeff Bloom, managing director of Midnight Bisou co-owner Bloom Racing Stable, said: "It would be a good matchup if it happens. Regardless, that's where we're pointing to."

He said the daughter of Midnight Lute "is wonderful. She's a pleasure to be around. She's training very well, and we're looking forward to getting her back in the starting gate."