As Time Goes By Adds G3 Bayakoa to Resume

As Time Goes By (4f American Pharoah x Take Charge Lady, by Dehere) added a third graded stakes win to her resume on Sunday with a victory in the Grade III Bayakoa Stakes at Los Alamitos.

The regally bred American Pharoah filly raced on the rail just behind Uncle Mo’s Grade II winner Harvest Moon as they set the pace closely attended by much of the field. Racing into the final half mile of the race, As Time Goes By took over the lead and was in complete control swinging into the stretch.

Multiple graded stakes winner Warren’s Showtime gave the filly a race in the stretch with that runner taking her on in the final furlong but As Time Goes By never let her get her head in front. As they neared the wire, As Time Goes By made it clear she was the winner when starting to pull away to win by 1 1/4 lengths with the third place finisher 6 ¼ lengths behind her.

Bred by Orpendale and Chelston and raced by the Coolmore partners, the Bob Baffert-trained filly has hit the board in nine of her 12 starts for $535,600 in earnings with five of her placings coming in graded stakes.

“I love this filly,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “I love (wife) Jill No. 1 and this filly No. 2. My two favorite girls. They went so fast early, I was afraid of the runner-up (Warren’s Showtime) who is a really good horse, and I was hoping (As Time Goes By) would have something left. I’ve always been high on her.”

As Time Goes By is by top racemare and Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady. The mare is the dam of Champion Will Take Charge and Grade I winner Take Charge Indy among her eight winners from nine to race. Take Charge Lady is also the grandam of Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Take Charge Brandi and three-time Grade I winner Omaha Beach in addition to Grade I-placed Courage Under Fire.

American Pharoah is the sire of 23 stakes winners and 40 stakes performers, led by three Grade I winners in the United States, France, and Japan.