Fresh off of a second place finish to the mighty Swiss Skydiver, As Time Goes By looms the horse to beat going a mile and one eighth in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita. First run in 1935, the prestigious Santa Margarita, which was not offered last year due to a cessation of racing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, has attracted a field of five older fillies and mares for what will be its 83rd running.
Trained by Bob Baffert, As Time Goes By was beaten 2 ¾ lengths by Swiss Skydiver, last year's Eclipse Champion Dirt Female, in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile in a very impressive effort. A nine-length first condition allowance winner going one mile two starts back on Jan. 17, As Time Goes By finished strongly in the Beholder Mile at odds of 9-5 and should be ready for her first test at a mile and one eighth.
Owned by Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith, As Time Goes By, a 4-year-old daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah out of the multiple Grade 1 stakes winning Dehere mare Take Charge Lady, is 5-2-2-1 and is seeking her first stakes victory.
A two-time graded stakes winner, Simon Callaghan's Harvest Moon pressed the early pace and tired late to finish fourth, beaten seven lengths by Swiss Skydiver in the Beholder Mile and will be ridden for the seventh consecutive time by leading man Flavien Prat.
A close fourth two starts back to super mare Monomoy Girl in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 7 at Keeneland, Harvest Moon, a 4-year-old filly by Uncle Mo out of the Shamardal mare Qaraaba, was bred by Alice Bamford and is owned by Bamford and Michael Tabor. With four wins from seven starts, Harvest Moon will try a mile and one eighth for the second time.
THE GRADE II SANTA MARGARITA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 8 of 11 Approximate post time 4:30 p.m. PT
- Pharoah's Heart—Umberto Rispoli—120
- As Time Goes By—Mike Smith—120
- This Tea—Kent Desormeaux–120
- Harvest Moon—Flavien Prat—122
- Clockstrikestwelve—Abel Cedillo–120
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