What is San Felipe Stakes?
The San Felipe Stakes is an annual Grade 2 horse race for three-year-olds held at Santa Anita Park in California. This race is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, offering qualifying points to top finishers aiming for a spot in the Kentucky Derby.
The race covers a distance of 1 1/16 miles (8.5 furlongs) on dirt. It is one of the most anticipated events for racing enthusiasts and is a popular race for online horse betting..
When do the San Felipe Stakes take place in 2026?
The 2026 San Felipe Stakes is scheduled to take place on February 28th.
San Felipe Stakes Winners
Notable winners of the San Felipe Stakes include legendary horses like Sunday Silence (1989), who went on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and California Chrome (2014), who achieved fame by winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
Other standout winners include Fusaichi Pegasus (2000), known for his exceptional career, and Affirmed (1978), the last Triple Crown winner of his era. These legendary horses have cemented the San Felipe Stakes as a proving ground for future champions.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Journalism | Umberto Rispoli | Michael McCarthy | 1:42.24 |
| 2024 | Imagination | Frankie Dettori | Bob Baffert | 1:44.55 |
| 2023 | Practical Move | Ramon A. Vazquez | Richard Mandella | 1:43.96 |
| 2022 | Forbidden Kingdom | Juan J. Hernandez | Doug O'Neill | 1:50.16 |
| 2021 | Life Is Good | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | 1:42.18 |
| 2020 | Authentic | Drayden Van Dyke | Bob Baffert | 1:43.56 |
The San Felipe Stakes is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering qualifying points to the top four finishers (50-20-10-5). This makes it a pivotal race for horses aiming to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby.
