As Time Goes By heads Saturday’s Santa Margarita Stakes

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.