Seismic Beauty Unstoppable in Clement L. Hirsch as South American Contenders Fade Late

Chilean-Bred Richi Runs a Solid Third; Argentine Little Hidden Port Struggles in Unforgiving Del Mar Debut

Juan Hernández and Seismic Beauty Prove Unstoppable in Dominant Hirsch Victory/ BENOIT PHOTO

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).- In a race that brought intrigue from multiple angles, the G1 Clement L. Hirsch S. (1700m, dirt, $400,500) served as Saturday’s finale at Del Mar and marked a breakthrough moment for Seismic Beauty, who led every step of the way to earn her first top-level victory. For South America, it was a bittersweet afternoon: Chilean-bred Richi (Practical Joke) once again ran admirably to finish third, while Argentina’s Little Hidden Port (Puerto Escondido) endured a rough U.S. debut, trailing home more than 34 lengths behind the winner in a performance that, while disappointing, was not entirely unexpected given the context and class hike.

Carrying the silks of MyRacehorse and Peter Leidel, the daughter of Uncle Mo was coming off a win in the Tranquility Lake S. (L) and confirmed her upward trajectory with another commanding performance. With Juan Hernández back aboard, she broke sharply, dictated terms from the inside, and never relinquished control, holding off Kopion (Omaha Beach) by 1 1/2 lengths, while Richi, campaigned by Stud Vendaval and also trained by Bob Baffert, completed the trifecta another 3 1/2 lengths back.

“I think she won it at the break,” Hernández said. “She got out fast and loves to be on the lead. She was very relaxed and traveling perfectly. Bob told me to let her do her thing, just wait for the stretch and ask her then. That’s what we did. She switched leads, responded immediately, and made it look easy. She just keeps getting better.”

Seismic Beauty stopped the clock in 1:42.33 after fractions of :22.85, :46.63, 1:10.32, and 1:35.52, underscoring the consistent pace she carried throughout. A physically imposing filly, she continues to impress her Hall of Fame conditioner.

“That was not an easy lead—they were going fast,” Baffert noted. “But she makes it look effortless. She’s big, she’s strong, and she’s maturing. She’s just starting to figure things out. I don’t think we’ve seen her best yet.”

The victory secured Seismic Beauty a berth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 1 as part of the “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series, sparing connections the $60,000 entry fee. Her earnings now stand at $476,840 from four wins, two seconds, and a third in just seven starts.

The result marked Baffert’s third consecutive—and fourth overall—win in the Clement L. Hirsch. For Hernández, it was also a third straight success in the race and his third stakes win of the current Del Mar meeting. He now tops the jockey standings with $1,293,480 in earnings over just 10 days of racing. Earlier on the card, he captured the California Dreamin’ S. (L) with Kings River Knight (Acclamation), a Del Mar specialist who recorded his 13th career victory and pushed past the $1-million mark in total earnings.

As for the South Americans, Richi once again proved she belongs among the best on the West Coast. Bred in Chile by Haras Paso Nevado, the 4-year-old had finished third in the G2 Santa Margarita earlier this year and turned in another credible effort here, staying on gamely despite not keeping pace with the top two in the final stages.

The story was different for Little Hidden Port. Bred in Argentina and now based in California with trainer John Sadler, she endured a rough welcome to American racing. Never involved, she trailed throughout and failed to show her South American form. Given the deep waters she was thrown into first out, she’s likely to benefit from time and a more suitable spot going forward.

While Seismic Beauty now looms as a serious Distaff contender and Baffert’s momentum continues to build, Saturday at Del Mar offered another high-caliber afternoon, with flashes of South American quality—even amid the growing pains.