Seismic Beauty books BC Distaff ticket in Clement L. Hirsch

The Bob Baffert-trained Seismic Beauty continued her ascent in the Distaff (G1) division in Saturday’s Clement L. Hirsch (G1), a “Win and You’re In” at the Breeders’ Cup host site of Del Mar. The 1.10-1 favorite led throughout and held off the late charge of Kopion, the 1.90-1 second choice.

The market leaders brought contrasting profiles into the 1 1/16-mile affair. The late-developing Seismic Beauty has reached a new level since stretching out to two turns, as exemplified by her stakes debut romp in the May 25 Santa Margarita (G2) at Santa Anita. 

Kopion, a multiple Grade 1 winner sprinting, has yet to score over a route. But her only two attempts came early in her sophomore season, and her pedigree suggests that she should handle two turns. Although Kopion could not catch Seismic Beauty on Saturday, she arguably passed the distance test with a strong rally.

Drawn on the rail with Juan Hernandez, Seismic Beauty wasted no time in dashing straight to the front. Kentucky shipper Royal Spa, last seen chasing Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna home in the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs, tracked the pacesetter through splits of :22.85, :46.63, and 1:10.32.

Seismic Beauty began to get away from Royal Spa rounding the far turn. Richi, the second-stringer of the Baffert trio, improved position to become Seismic Beauty’s nearest pursuer, but moving even better was Kopion.

Initially biding her time in last, Kopion pulled away from her early companions, Nothing Like You and Little Hidden Port, and made eye-catching headway. The Richard Mandella pupil was the only one gaining on Seismic Beauty down the stretch, whittling her margin to 1 1/2 lengths at the wire.

Still, Seismic Beauty was never seriously threatened. After reaching the mile in 1:35.52, the Uncle Mo filly crossed the wire in 1:42.33.

Kopion reported home 3 1/2 lengths clear of Richi, and Royal Spa was nearly the same distance back in fourth. Nothing Like You, Baffert’s third runner, failed to fire off a 10-month layoff. Little Hidden Port, an Argentine import making her U.S. debut, trailed home under considerate handling. Mahina was scratched.

Now a perfect 3-for-3 routing, Seismic Beauty sports an overall mark of 7-4-2-1, $476,840. She is following the path of another big daughter of Uncle Mo, Adare Manor, who turned the Santa Margarita/Clement L. Hirsch double in both 2023 and 2024 for Baffert. Adare Manor never ran again after last year’s Hirsch, and Seismic Beauty is advertising herself as the heir apparent. 

A $550,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase on behalf of MyRacehorse and Peter Leidel, Seismic Beauty was bred by 2500 Determined Stud in Maryland. She is out of the stakes-placed Knarsdale, a Medaglia d’Oro mare from the family of Grade 2 victress Payton d’Oro.