Midnight Bisou Brilliant in Ogden Phipps

ELMONT, NY – Patience paid off for Midnight Bisou who relaxed early and then exploded down the stretch to win Saturday’s $700,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park. With her win here today, the four-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute continues to be ultra-impressive in her undefeated 2019 campaign, winning four straight graded stakes including the G1 Apple Blossom her last time out

The Ogden Phipps is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Midnight Bisou receiving an automatic berth in the Longines Distaff at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, November 2.

The 4-5 post time favorite Come Dancing bobbled at the start but recovered quickly and moved up to become the early leader. Escape Clause also broke well and settled into second with Mopotism back a length on the outside and Midnight Bisou inside on the rail. Pacific Wind was the early trailer.

Come Dancing was left unchallenged on the front end as she set early fractions of :23.39 and :45.96. Into the turn, Midnight Bisou drew even with Escape Clause and Mopotism moved up on the outside as the trio ran three-wide around the turn and into the stretch. As they hit the top of the stretch, Midnight Bisou drew away from the other two and it looked to be a stretch duel in the making as Midnight Bisou came alongside Come Dancing on the lead.

Come Dancing, with jockey Tyler Baze aboard, stayed even with Midnight Bisou for several strides, however, it quickly became apparent that it was Midnight Bisou’s day. With seeming ease, jockey Mike Smith and Midnight Bisou exploded ahead of Come Dancing and cruised to the wire with a final time of 1:39.69 and 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Come Dancing in second. Mopotism finished third, Escape Clause was fourth, and Pacific Wind finished fifth.

“She just seems to be getting better with age, and she just loves it here at Belmont,” jockey Mike Smith said. “I don’t know what it is, but Big Sandy seems to bring out the best in her.

Midnight Bisou was bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds and is owned by Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing. With her win here today, the Steve Asmussen trainee Midnight Bisou brought her career earnings to $2.78 million and remains undefeated at the 1 1/16 mile distance in her career.

“She makes you so proud. She changes people’s lives,” Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. “She’s just a special horse and I’m proud to be associated with her. I believe she’s added to how great she is with consistency. She’s expecting to win, and I think the results speak for themselves.”

Midnight Bisou returned $5.40 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.10 to show. Come Dancing brought back $2.30 to place and $2.10 to show, while Mopotism paid $3.50 to show.