There is an unmistakable Thorpedo Anna-sized storm cloud hovering over the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff division that will remain as long as the reigning Horse of the Year is in training, but there was a threatening rumble worth tracking that originated in Southern California Aug. 2.

Seismic Beauty extended her winning streak to three with a front-running 1 ½-length victory Saturday at Del Mar in the $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes Presented by Oak Tree Racing Association for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert that could shift the landscape of the Distaff division.

America’s Best Racing is exploring leading contenders for the 14 races that comprise the Breeders’ Cup World Championships as things really begin to come into focus in summer and fall. This week we take a closer look at Seismic Beauty after she punched her ticket to the Longines Distaff Nov. 1 at Del Mar with a dominant Clement L. Hirsch performance.

Accomplishments: Seismic Beauty began her career sprinting for Baffert, making her first four starts at either three-quarters of a mile of 6 ½ furlongs in 2024 and early 2025. The bay filly showed ability with a front-running, five-length win in August 2024 at Del Mar, and she never finished worse than third in the four sprints.

The Uncle Mo filly improved significantly this year when stretching out in distance. She dominated from start to finish in a 10-length runaway April 18 in a one-mile allowance-optional claiming race and romped by five lengths in her stakes debut in the 1 1/8-mile Santa Margarita Stakes May 25, both at Santa Anita Park.

Coming off the facile Grade 2 win in her first try in a stakes race, Seismic Beauty was the 11-10 favorite in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes. She went right to the front through a swift opening quarter-mile in :22.85, led by a couple of lengths turning into the stretch, and held off multiple Grade 1 winner Kopion for her third straight win.

“Today I learned more about her. These Grade 1s are tough to get,” Baffert said. “That wasn’t an easy lead, they were rolling. She’s a big filly. She looks like she’s going easy, but they were going fast. She’s just getting better and better. She’s still maturing but I think she’ll improve off of that.”

Speed Figures: Stretching out from sprints to two turn races proved successful on the racetrack for Seismic Beauty and also provided a huge boost to her speed figures. Her Equibase Speed Figures had been in the 91 to 97 range sprinting and she has earned a 108, a 106, and a career-top 113 for the Hirsch in her three starts at route distances. Likewise, her Beyer Speed Figures in four sprints were all between 72 and 82 and Seismic Beauty has put together an impressive three-start string of 95-104-110 since trying longer races.

Looking Ahead: All four of Seismic Beauty’s wins have come when leading from start to finish. Perhaps the big key to success in longer races is that she is much more likely to be the controlling speed in route races than she was in California sprints. She settles into a nice stride while dictating the pace and gets plenty brave when entering the stretch in front. Sire Uncle Mo was a fast racehorse capable of carrying his speed around two turns, and Seismic Beauty’s pedigree includes several sources of stamina, so she seems to have found her niche.

My main concern with Seismic Beauty is that she does not finish particularly fast, which is not uncommon for front-runners in two turn races. However, Seismic Beauty very likely will face more pressure early in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna has plenty of tactical speed ... so we’re looking at a significant challenge Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

On the plus side, Seismic Beauty has run well on the main track at Del Mar – two wins in three starts, plus a second by a neck in her debut – and owns a win at the 1 1/8-mile Breeders’ Cup Distaff distance. She’s also improving with every start, so I’m very optimistic about Seismic Beauty moving forward.