As Time Goes By Back on Top in Bayakoa Stakes
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Photo: Benoit Photo
As Time Goes By wins the Bayakoa Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course
The royally-bred As Time Goes By proved tough Dec. 5 at Los Alamitos Race Course, putting away a challenge from Warren's Showtime to return to the winner's circle in the $100,500 Bayakoa Stakes (G3).
The victory made for a graded stakes sweep of the weekend for trainer Bob Baffert, who also saddled Eda a day earlier to win the Starlet Stakes (G1).
As Time Goes By, a 4-year-old daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah out of multiple grade 1 winner and Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady, earned her third graded stakes win of the year and her first in five starts. To accomplish the feat, she returned to the same track at which she broke her maiden a year ago.
She was part of the quick early pace, half a length off Harvest Moon for a :22.02 quarter and in front by a head for a :45.54 half. As Time Goes By disposed of that rival as she led three-quarters in 1:09.81 and put away a mild bid from Stellar Sound . She then had to dig deep to prevail over the California-bred Warren's Showtime, who rallied down the outside and got within a head of As Time Goes By. With encouragement from jockey Flavien Prat, As Time Goes By edged forward and crossed the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front. She paid $4.20 on a $2 win ticket as the favorite.
The final time for the 1 1/16 miles on the fast track was 1:42.97.
"She was going well the entire way," Prat said. "I actually think (Warren's Showtime) got about a neck ahead of me in midstretch, but she regrouped and really dug in. She was very game."
Warren's Showtime was second by five lengths over Moonlight d'Oro . Stellar Sound, Harvest Moon, and Bye Bye Bertie completed the order of finish.
Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, As Time Goes By pushed her earnings to $535,600 with a 5-3-1 record in 12 starts. During the spring she won the Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) and Santa Maria Stake (G2), both at Santa Anita Park. The Bayakoa was a rebound from an eighth-place finish in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar last month.
The connections of As Time Goes By in the trophy presentation for the Bayakoa Stakes
"I love this filly,'' Baffert said. "I love (wife) Jill No. 1 and this filly No. 2. My two favorite girls.
"They went so fast early I was afraid of Warren's Showtime, who is a very good horse, and I was hoping (As Time Goes By) would have something left. I've always been high on her.
"I'm hoping she runs as a 5-year-old because I'd really like to win a grade 1 with her and I know she can. The owners said if she's doing well they will keep her in training.''
As Time Goes By was bred in Kentucky by Orpendale and Chelston. She is the last foal out of the Dehere daughter Take Charge Lady, the dam of grade 1 winners Take Charge Indy and Will Take Charge , the latter being a champion. Take Charge Lady is also the granddam of champion Take Charge Brandi and grade 1 winner Omaha Beach .