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 ( 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 Winners of the Santa Anita Oaks since 1975 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. See also Road to the Kentucky Oaks Horse races in California Santa Anita Park Flat horse