As Time Goes By easiest of winners in Santa Margarita S. (G2)

As Time Goes By got her first graded stakes win in Saturday’s $200,000 Santa Margarita S. (G2) in emphatic fashion, romping home by 9 1/4-lengths under jockey Mike Smith.

A 4-year-old daughter of Bob Baffert’s 2015 Horse of the Year and Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, As Time Goes By has progressed quickly since breaking her maiden on Dec. 13. After a Jan. 17 allowance win by nine lengths, she was second to Swiss Skydiver in the Beholder Mile (G1) on March 13.

Sent off the prohibitive 3-5 favorite against four opponents, Mike Smith took her right to the front and was never headed. She guided the field through six furlongs in 1:11.36, when she began to increase her one-length margin. In the stretch, it was all As Time Goes By, and she cruised under the wire in 1:49.95 for the 1 1/8-miles on a fast track.

As Time Goes By is owned by Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith. Saturday’s win improved her record to 3-2-1 in six starts, with earnings of $260,600. Out of the champion filly Take Charge Lady, As Time Goes By is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Will Take Charge and Take Charge Indy. 

As Time Goes By is Baffert’s second Santa Margarita winner, having previously won in 2017 Vale Dori.