“She’s just a big, beautifully striding filly who is getting better.” And it showed at the Santa Anita racecourse on May 25. Yet another win for Bob Baffert at the Santa Margarita Stakes, and might we say, quite comfortably done this time. But the 2025 win was special for jockey Antonio Fresu, as it was his first triumph at the race. After the win, the Italian jockey only had words of praise and admiration for Bob Baffert’s horse, Seismic Beauty, who didn’t start as the favorite, but has made quite an impression on everyone in the thoroughbred world, the jockey foremost. So, what is Antonio Fresu saying?

Seismic Beauty started from post 6 at the Santa Anita racecourse and took just 1:48.30 to win the 1 1/8 miles race by 5 lengths. How easy was it for Fresu? Talking to SantaAnita.com after the race on May 25, the winning jockey said, “When she got to the lead, she was comfortable and was traveling good.” The 4-year-old filly has been impressing Bob Baffert, who says Seismic Beauty is ready for something big.

Jockey Antonio Fresu also sees potential in the 2025 $200,000-purse Santa Margarita Stakes winner. “She’s a strong type, you can see her physically, she is so big. And so classy.” But Seismic Beauty isn’t just for show. She turned up ready and flew off her starting posts, registering the fastest time since 2012. “With the pony it was like she had done it a hundred times. She was professional with everything.”

Breaking down her performance in the race, Fresu said, “She was just a step slow from the gate, she’s so big, but once she got into a good rhythm I was always comfortable.” And with the win, Bob Baffert also secured a 1-2 finish at the race, with Splendora coming in 2nd place, 2½ lengths ahead of Princess of Time in 3rd place.

But for the 72-year-old icon, the center of focus was Seismic Beauty, who is owned by Michael Lund Petersen. They bought Seismic Beauty as a yearling for a $550,000 auction buy. And Bob Baffert has held the filly back as much as possible, keeping her away from the races after her amazing maiden win at the 2024 Del Mar summer meet. And it has worked out perfectly.

In fact, every connection of Seismic Beauty is celebrating her win. But it’s a win that’s historic for Bob Baffert.

2025 Santa Margarita Stakes win is one for the record books for Bob Baffert

The Hall of Fame trainer is a living legend in the thoroughbred business. A 2-time Triple Crown winner (in 2015 and 2018), Baffert has won the Kentucky Derby 7 times, a record he shares with Ben Jones. And after the 2025 Santa Margarita win, Bob Baffert has become a 5-time winner at the race, equaling John Shirreffs and Ron McAnally.

The 2018 Triple Crown winner has won 5 Santa Margarita Stakes in the last 8 years. In fact, the 2025 win is Baffert’s 3rd win in a row, after his wins with Adare Manor in 2024 and 2023. Coincidentally, the 6-year-old mare is also owned by Michael Lund Petersen.

After last year’s win, Bob Baffert said to SantaAnita.com, “Michael has learned the ups and downs of racing, it’s tough, but its horses like this that make it all worthwhile and makes it fun … and when you get a good one like this you better enjoy them because they are hard to find.” Before 2023, Baffert had won the 2017 Santa Margarita with Vale Dori and the 2021 race with As Time Goes By.

Now, the iconic trainer is lining up for more victories. He did say the 4-year-old filly is ready for something big. What do you think that can mean? Let us know in the comments.