What is the Santa Margarita Stakes?
The Santa Margarita Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for fillies and mares aged four and older, it is one of the most storied distaff races on the West Coast and a key benchmark for older fillies and mares targeting the summer championship circuit. Inaugurated in 1935, the Santa Margarita is one of the oldest stakes races in California racing history, with a roll of honor that includes Hall of Famers Zenyatta, Bayakoa, Paseana, Azeri, and Lady's Secret — who holds the stakes record of 1:47.00 set in 1986. A Grade I event for most of its modern history, the race was downgraded to Grade II in 2019. Bob Baffert holds the record for most wins in the modern era, saddling Adare Manor to back-to-back victories in 2023 and 2024, making her only the second two-time winner in the race's history alongside Bayakoa and Paseana.
When is the Santa Margarita Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Santa Margarita Stakes is scheduled for late May at Santa Anita Park as part of the Hollywood Meet. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the main track with a purse of $200,000, the race draws the top older fillies and mares on the West Coast targeting summer Grade I events including the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar.
Santa Margarita Stakes History & Notable Winners
Bob Baffert has dominated the modern era of the Santa Margarita, saddling five winners in the last decade. Seismic Beauty gave Baffert and jockey Antonio Fresu a 2025 victory in 1:48.30 for MyRacehorse. Adare Manor made history in 2024 under Juan Hernandez in 1:50.86, completing back-to-back Santa Margarita wins after her 2023 score in 1:49.79, the first repeat winner in the race's modern era. Blue Stripe (ARG) provided a major upset for trainer Marcelo Polanco and jockey Tyler Base in 2022, winning in 1:50.52. As Time Goes By gave Baffert and Mike Smith a 2021 score in 1:49.95 for the powerful ownership group of Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, and Derrick Smith.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Seismic Beauty | Antonio Fresu | 1:48.30 |
| 2024 | Adare Manor | Juan Hernandez | 1:50.86 |
| 2023 | Adare Manor | Juan Hernandez | 1:49.79 |
| 2022 | Blue Stripe (ARG) | Tyler Base | 1:50.52 |
| 2021 | As Time Goes By | Mike E. Smith | 1:49.95 |
The Santa Margarita Stakes is one of the most prestigious distaff dirt races on the West Coast and a cornerstone of Santa Anita Park's spring racing program.
