Seismic Beauty, a 4-year-old filly by Uncle Mo, delivered a commanding performance in the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita Park on May 25, 2025. Going wire-to-wire, she secured her first graded stakes win with a decisive five-length margin.
Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Seismic Beauty broke sharply and immediately took the lead, setting the pace with opening fractions of 23.05 for the quarter-mile and 46.25 for the half-mile.
Her stablemate, Splendora, trained by Bob Baffert like the winner, tracked in second throughout the 1 1/8-mile contest but could not match the winner’s relentless gallop.
Seismic Beauty maintained her advantage through three-quarters in 1:09.84 and extended her lead in the stretch, finishing strongly under a hand ride. The final time for the race was a swift 1:48.30. This victory marked the quickest running of the Santa Margarita Stakes since Include Me Out in 2012.
Splendora, the 4-5 favorite ridden by Juan Hernandez, held on for second, 2 1/2 lengths clear of Princess of Time, who finished third under Kazushi Kimura.
Alpha Bella and Liberal Lady completed the order of finish.
The win was popular for the large ownership group, MyRacehorse, and co-owner Peter Leidel. So many members were in attendance that two winners’ circle photos were taken.
Trainer Bob Baffert, who also conditions Splendora, praised Seismic Beauty’s performance and noted her physical presence and professional demeanor. He indicated that the filly is “just getting better” and is “ready for something big.” The Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on August 2nd is being considered for her next start.
Seismic Beauty, a Maryland-bred out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Knarsdale, was purchased for $550,000 as a yearling. This win, her third in six career starts, boosted her earnings to $236,840.
She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 104 for her dominant performance, the highest in the nation this year by a filly or mare going more than one mile on a dirt track.
Scratched Horse(s): Where’s My Ring (Trainer)
Fractional Times: 23.05, 46.25, 1:09.84, 1:34.96
Final Time: 1:48.30
Winning Connections
Winner: Seismic Beauty
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: MyRacehorse and Peter Leidel
Breeder: 2500 Determined Stud
Bloodline: Bay Filly, by Uncle Mo out of Knarsdale, by Medaglia d’Oro. Foaled Feb 12, 2021, in Maryland.
Uncle Mo stood at Coolmore Ashford Stud in Versailles, KY, but passed away in December 2024.
Payouts
- (6) Seismic Beauty – Win: $5.40, Place: $2.40, Show: $2.10
- (4) Splendora – Place: $2.10, Show: $2.10
- (2) Princess of Time – Show: $2.80
- $1.00 Exacta (6-4) Paid: $4.40
- $1.00 Trifecta (6-4-2) Paid: $13.80
- $0.10 Superfecta (6-4-2-5) Paid: $1.63
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