As Time Goes By Romps in Santa Margarita Stakes

As Time Goes By , a daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah  , emulated her sire April 24 by completely dominating her foes in the $200,000 Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. The victory was particularly satisfying for her trainer Bob Baffert, who also trained American Pharoah.

Making only her second start in a stakes and her second under jockey Mike Smith, As Time Goes By went off as the 3-5 favorite against four others. When the gate opened, the leggy 4-year-old filly outbroke her competition and proceeded to control the entire 1 1/8-mile journey.

"Today she actually jumped really quick out of there," said Smith. "She fell right into stride so nice, and I just stayed out of her way."

Two-time graded winner Harvest Moon , the second choice at 2-1, tracked As Time Goes By in second under jockey Flavien Prat. Both fillies were running easily, with As Time Goes By setting the fractions of :23.17 for the first quarter-mile and :46.98 for a half-mile.

The pair took the field down the backside and into the second turn without any change in position. Harvest Moon was ready to challenge going into the turn, but As Time Goes By had far too much in reserve. Smith let her lengthen her stride on her own, and As Time Goes By's margin began to widen…and widen…and widen.

Into the stretch, As Time Goes By continued to pull away. Longshot This Tea  closed from fifth and ultimately passed Harvest Moon for second, but As Time Goes By crossed the wire 9 1/4 lengths in front. She stopped the timer in 1:49.95.

"The whole experience for her today was really, really nice," said Smith. "I mean, she warmed up really brilliant, acted really good in the gate, stood really well. That was really impressive today. She galloped out nice and now Bob can point her just about anywhere he wants to."

As Time Goes By paid $3.20, $2.40, and $2.10, while This Tea paid $10.40 to place and $9.40 to show. This Tea had 2 1/4 lengths over Harvest Moon, who paid $2.10 to show.

"We've been slowly developing her," said Baffert. "I've been really patient with this filly. She's big and long, and the further the better."

Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith own As Time Goes By. She debuted last August at Del Mar and broke her maiden by four lengths at Los Alamitos Race Course Dec. 13. She then won an allowance race by nine lengths. In her stakes debut, the March 13 Beholder Mile (G1), As Time Goes By finished second to champion Swiss Skydiver .

"When you have owners like that will give you the time, you tell them that she's worth the time," said Baffert. "They've been really great."

As Time Goes By not only appears to have inherited her racing ability from her sire, but Baffert says she has the same easygoing temperament.

"She's just sweet, the kindest—just so much class," said Baffert.

As Time Goes By has plenty on the bottom side of her pedigree as well. Orpendale and Chelston bred her in Kentucky from the Dehere mare Take Charge Lady . An earner of $2,480,377, Take Charge Lady twice won the Overbrook Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland among her nine stakes victories.

Baffert won his second Santa Margarita, having also saddled Vale Dori  to win the race in 2017. He said that his main goal for As Time Goes By is the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) this fall at Del Mar.

"We'll just gradually pick our spots," the trainer said about the route he will take to the Breeders' Cup World Championships.