Seismic Beauty makes first start since the Breeders’ Cup
At 0h02, on May 28, 2026 • By QJC Webmaster
Grade I winner Seismic Beauty will make her first start since the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday when she defends her title in the Grade II, $200,000 Santa Margarita Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Seismic Beauty romped in last year’s Santa Margarita by five lengths under Juan Hernandez. In the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. 1 at Del Mar, also at 1 1/8 miles, she was the 6-5 favorite. Her chances were compromised at the start when she bobbled out of the gate. Seismic Beauty then raced up to track the leaders in third while racing wide, but on the second turn she started to weaken. Seismic Beauty was ultimately eased across the wire to finish 11th in a 12-horse field.
Between her wins in last year’s Santa Margarita and the Breeders’ Cup, Seismic Beauty won the GI Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar. A 5-year-old mare by Uncle Mo, Seismic Beauty is 8: 4-2-1 with $476,840 in earnings for owners My Racehorse and Peter Leidel. Hernandez will again be aboard Seismic Beauty.
Simply Joking comes in off a career-best performance for trainer Michael McCarthy. In the GII Santa Maria going 1 1/16 miles on April 19 at Santa Anita, Simply Joking went to the lead under Emisael Jaramillo and drew off in the stretch to romp by 6 ¾ lengths. It was the second stakes win for the 4-year-old filly by Practical Joke. Owned by Berkels 0813, CMNWLTH LLC, Grantley Acres and Ryan Conner, Simply Joking is 9: 3-2-1 with $440,750 in earnings.
Om N Joy wheels back just a week after testing turf in the Fran’s Valentine Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares going one mile this past Saturday at Santa Anita. She faded to last after racing in mid-pack early. Trained by Aggie Ordonez, Om N Joy previously was fifth in the GI Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park on April 11. A 4-year-old filly by Om, Om N Joy is 16: 5-0-5 with $496,703 in earnings. She races for breeders Jerry Baker and Connie Baker and partners Michael Golovko and Terrence J. Scanlan. Regular rider Kent Desormeaux has the call on Om N Joy.
