As Time Goes By captures elusive Grade 1 win with Beholder Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – As Time Goes By was kept in training this year at age 5 to chase a Grade 1 win that had proven elusive in four previous tries. She finally got that important milestone on Saturday at Santa Anita with a front-running win in the $490,000 Beholder Mile, improving on her second-place finish in this race a year ago.

As Time Goes By ($2.60), heavily favored against just three rivals, bobbled slightly leaving the gate when her Bob Baffert-trained stablemate, Varda, stepped on her left front foot, but she recovered quickly to hit the top into the first turn, and she never looked back.

She set fractions of 22.76 seconds for the opening quarter while rolling along two lengths in front, increased her margin through splits of :46.22 for the half and 1:10.60 for six furlongs, and checked in 2 1/4 lengths in front of Miss Bigly, who chased gallantly but had to settle for second.

As Time Goes By finished the mile on the fast main track in 1:37.55, getting a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.

She came back to the winner’s circle with a bloody gash to her left front hoof, a result of Varda hitting her.

:: Win big at Santa Anita: Get DRF Past Performances, Picks, Clocker Reports and Betting Strategies.

Varda was seven lengths back of Miss Bigly, and Envoutante, making her first start of the year, trailed throughout in a dull effort.

Moonlight d’Oro was scratched on Thursday, and Founder’s Day was scratched Saturday. There was no show wagering.

As Time Goes By was the second stakes winner on the card for the sire American Pharoah, whose colt Forbidden Kingdom won the Grade 2 San Felipe.

Richard Mandella, who trains Forbidden Kingdom, presented the trophy, since he trained the great mare Beholder, who earlier this week was announced as a finalist for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in her first year eligible to be on the ballot.

“That was cool, having Mandella in the winner’s circle,” Baffert said.

As Time Goes By, out of the accomplished Dehere mare Take Charge Lady, was winning for the seventh time in 14 starts. This was her fifth graded stakes win, and her third victory in a row, following Grade 3 scores in the Bayakoa at Los Alamitos in December and the La Canada here on Jan. 1. Flavien Prat has been aboard for her last three starts.

With the $300,000 winner’s share, her career earnings are now $955,600, and her residual value is well north of that with the Grade 1 win.

Baffert trains As Time Goes By for the Coolmore team Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith.

“I’m glad they kept her in training,” Baffert said. “She’s gotten better with age. She’s always been such a classy mare. Never breaks a sweat. All class.

“Got the Grade 1. So important. Her owners have been so patient.”

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports