Santa Anita Oaks is an American Grade I 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 (1 1/ miles) on the dirt. The race is a Grade I event with a purse of $300,000 and has been a prep race to the 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.
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
Read more about Santa Anita Oaks: Records, Winners of The Santa Anita Oaks Since 1975, Earlier Winners, Special Bonus, See Also
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That I assume was what our passing train meant.”
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