ARCADIA, CA – Coolmore’s heavily-favored As Time Goes By survived a strong stretch run from This Tea to nose out victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.
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As Time Goes By, the 2/5 favorite in the field of four older fillies and mares, tracked early leader Miss Stormy D before taking over near the 3/8 pole.
Jockey Mike Smith kept the 4-year-old American Pharoah filly to task as This Tea presented a stubborn challenge, ultimately stopping the clock in 1:43.77 for the 1 1/16-mile fast dirt route.
Miss Stormy D and Ce Ce completed the order of finish.
As Time Goes By’s record now stands at 7-4-2-1 with $380,600 earned. The Santa Maria was her second stakes score following last month’s Santa Margarita (G2).
“After she ran so well last time out, they kind of backed off her a little bit,” Smith said. “She’s a big mare with a big frame and she’ll tend to gain some weight and I could tell she was a little more stocked today. She got a little tired, but she’ll get a whole lot out of that.”
As Time Goes By returned $2.80 to win and $2.10 to place. This Tea paid $6.60 to place. There was no show betting.
