Seismic Beauty, Splendora go 1-2 for Baffert in Santa Margarita

Seismic Beauty broke swiftly from her outside post and led the whole way, defeating stalking stablemate Splendora by five lengths Sunday to give trainer Bob Baffert the exacta in the Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita.

It was Baffert’s third straight win and fifth overall in the Santa Margarita, a two-turn, 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares, ages 3 and up. There were only five starters Sunday.

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Ridden for the first time by Antonio Fresu, Seismic Beauty (8-5) relaxed after her purposeful start and carved fractions of 23.05, 46.25, 1:09.84 and 1:34.96. The 4-year-old Uncle Mo filly owned by MyRacehorse and Peter Leidel drew away to win with a time of 1:48.30 on the fast main track.

Post-time favorite Splendora (4-5), ridden by Juan Hernández, held second throughout the race. Princess of Time (8-1) moved forward from fourth to finish third. Alpha Bella (6-1) came in fourth, and Liberal Lady (35-1) was eased across the finish line in last place. Where’s My Ring, who was cross-entered in Monday’s Gamely (G1), was scratched.

Seismic Beauty paid $5.40, $2.40 and $2.10. Splendora returned $2.10 and $2.10. Princess of Time, ridden by Kazushi Kimura for trainer Michael McCarthy, paid $2.80 to show.

A $550,000 purchase at the September 2022 Keeneland yearling sale, Seismic Beauty is out of Medaglia d’Oro mare Knarsdale. She broke her maiden on her second try in August at Del Mar. She then needed three allowance starts to get her next victory, prevailing by 10 lengths April 18 going a mile at Santa Anita. That was her first time going two turns.