Seismic Beauty takes “Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’” Clement L. Hirsch (G1)

Seismic Beauty went gate to wire to win Saturday’s $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) at Del Mar to earn the Bob Baffert-trained filly an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), which will also be at Del Mar in three months.

Just as she did in winning the Santa Margarita S. (G2) in late May, Seismic Beauty immediately went to the front in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile race. After a half-mile in a quick :46.63, she had a half-length lead over Royal Spa, who began to fade on the final turn. Seismic Beauty’s stablemate Richi (CHI) moved into second turning for home, but Seismic Beauty pulled clear down the stretch, winning by 1 ½-lengths over late-charging Kopion, with Richi finishing third.

“That wasn’t an easy lead, they were rolling,” said Baffert of the race pace. “She’s a big filly. She looks like she’s going easy, but they were going fast. She’s just getting better and better. She’s still maturing, but I think she’ll improve off of that.”

Seismic Beauty, who has won three straight, is now 4-2-1 in seven overall starts, with earnings of $476,840 for MyRachehorse and Peter Leidel.