Midnight Bisou Too Tough in Beldame

ELMONT, NY – The wins keep piling up for Midnight Bisou, who on Saturday extended her unbeaten streak to seven with a too-tough-to-lose effort in $300,000 Beldame Invitational Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park.

Breaking from the rail under John Velazquez as the 1/9 prohibitive favorite, Midnight Bisou moved up quickly to attend the early pace. Spring in the Wind led from the second path, posting tepid opening fractions of :24.83 and :48.09 before Midnight Bisou took over heading into the far turn.

Velazquez remained motionless while Midnight Bisou rounded the turn, while Wow Cat joined the fight alongside Spring in the Wind’s outside. It became a two-horse sprint to the finish after the early pacesetter dipped out off of the turn.

Wow Cat and Midnight Bisou came together near the 3/16 pole, but that appeared to be the motivation that Midnight Bisou needed. Kicking away almost effortlessly, the Steve Asmussen trainee crossed 3 1/4 lengths clear in a final time of 1:48.86 for the 1 1/8-mile event over the fast main track.

“It was pretty easy for her,” said Velazquez, who won on Friday won both the Chandelier Stakes (G1) and the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park. “I didn’t have to do very much, just keep her out of trouble, and she did what she had to do. I didn’t have to hit her or anything. I just showed her the whip and let her know she had to run. That was it.”

Despite getting distanced in the final furlong, Wow Cat was still 5 1/4 lengths ahead of Crimson Frost and Another Broad. Spring in the Wind fell off steadily in the stretch before completing the order of finish. Vexatious was scratched.

Midnight Bisou’s win was her seventh in as many starts this year, all at the graded stakes level, and improved her overall record to 18-12-3-3 with $3,410,000 earned. Bloom Racing Stable, who purchased her for $80,000 as a juvenile, co-owns the 4-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute with Madaket Stables and Allen Racing.

After finishing third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Longines Distaff (G1), Midnight Bisou will return to the World Championships as the clear division leader.

“You’re always a little worried drawing the one-hole in short fields, but I thought Johnny rode her great and did a terrific job riding her to the wire,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi. “She proved to be the best. She’s just been an amazing horse this year. The way she’s developed this year, she’s turned a corner going from 3 to 4, and it’s exciting. She’s been training great since the Personal Ensign (G1), and hopefully, we can just keep her happy going forward.”

Midnight Bisou returned $2.30 to win and $2.10 to place, while Wow Cat paid $2.10 to place. There was no show betting.