Santa Anita Oaks


Santa Anita Oaks is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Open to three-year-old fillies willing to race 8.5 furlongs on the dirt. The race is a Grade II event with a current purse of $200,000 and has been a prep race to the American [Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing|Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing], including the Kentucky Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and Mother Goose Stakes.
Inaugurated in 1935 as a race for two-year-olds, it originated as the Santa Susana Stakes. In 1952 the race became the Santa Susana Handicap then in 1958 reverted to the Santa Susana Stakes. In 1986 it was given its current designation as the Santa Anita Oaks. In 2020 the event was downgraded to Grade II.
Since inception, the race has been set at various distances:
  • 1935 : 3 furlongs
  • 1937 - 1938 : 6 furlongs
  • 1939 - 1951 & 1956 : 7 furlongs
  • 1954 & 1957 : 8 furlongs
  • 1957 – present : 8.5 furlongs

Records

Stakes Record
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:

Earlier winners

† In 1951, Sweet Talk won the race but was disqualified and placed third.