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 ($1 1/16$ miles) 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 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
 * Turbulent Descent (1:41.05) - Current Distance of 8.5 furlongs

Most wins by a jockey:
 * Bill Shoemaker - 10
 * Donald R. Pierce - 5
 * Gary Stevens won four in a row, 1987–1990

Most wins by a trainer:
 * D. Wayne Lukas - 8
 * Charles E. Whittingham - 4

Earlier winners

 * 1974 - Miss Musket
 * 1973 - Belle Marie
 * 1972 - Susan's Girl
 * 1971 - Turkish Trousers
 * 1970 - Opening Bid
 * 1969 - Dumptys Lady
 * 1968 - Allie's Serenade
 * 1967 - Fish House
 * 1966 - Spearfish
 * 1965 - Desert Love
 * 1964 - Blue Norther
 * 1963 - Lamb Chop
 * 1962 - Pixie Erin
 * 1961 - Fun House
 * 1960 - Darling June
 * 1959 - Silver Spoon
 * 1958 - Penumbra
 * 1957 - Market Basket
 * 1956 - Dupatta
 * 1955 - No race
 * 1954 - Quillo Maid
 * 1953 - Femme Fatale
 * 1952 - Season's Best
 * 1951 - Ruth Lily †
 * 1950 - Special Touch
 * 1949 - Gaffery
 * 1948 - Mrs. Rabbit
 * 1947 - Hubble Bubble
 * 1946 - Enfilade
 * 1945 - Busher
 * 1941 - Cute Trick
 * 1940 - Augury
 * 1939 - Sweet Nancy
 * 1938 - Minulus
 * 1937 - Patty Cake
 * 1936 - No race
 * 1935 - Dunlin Lady

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