AS TIME GOES BY HEADS SATURDAY’S GRADE II, $200,000 SANTA MARGARITA STAKES

By Mike Willman —-

AS TIME GOES BY HEADS SATURDAY’S GRADE II, $200,000 SANTA MARGARITA STAKES FOR OLDER FILLIES AND MARES AT A MILE AND ONE EIGHTH

ARCADIA, Calif. (April 21, 2021)—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 II, $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 I 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 I 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 I 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

First post time for an 11-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred horseracing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST RACING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST LIVE and 1/ST PROPERTIES businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING drives the best-in-class horseracing operations at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, and Gulfstream Park West (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the newly formed operating group for all of 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, GWS and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is horseracing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST LIVE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality by delivering uniquely curated events such as InfieldFest and Pegasus LIV Stretch Village. 1/ST PROPERTIES is responsible for the development of the company’s live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred horseracing on and off the track. For more information please visit www.1st.com.