As Time Goes By the class of the La Canada S. (G3)
As Time Goes By rolled to a 13 ½-length win in Saturday’s $200,000 La Canada S. (G2) at Santa Anita Park, the fourth career graded stakes win for the Bob Baffert trainee.
Fresh off a win in the Dec. 5 Bayakoa S. (G3), As Time Goes By looked as good as ever on Saturday. She tracked pacesetter Park Avenue through six furlongs, then took over the lead at will. From there to the wire, the margin kept increasing despite jockey Flavien Prat completely easing up in the final sixteenth.
The winning time for the 1 1/16-miles was 1:44.31.
“This filly keeps getting better and better with age,” said Baffert of the newly-turned 5-year-old. “I’m really excited. She has always been a barn favorite of mine. She’s got that American Pharoah temperament. They seem to be late bloomers and she is getting better all the time. I am expecting big things from her from here. She will stay here, and I think the Grade I Beholder would be next for her.”
The winning owners are Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith. As noted by Baffert, she is a daughter of his 2015 Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year American Pharoah. She is out of the top-class mare Take Charge Lady and is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Will Take Charge and Take Charge Indy.
As Time Goes By is now 6-3-1 in 13 starts and has earned $655,600. She is Baffert’s fourth La Canada winner.