What is the Santa Maria Stakes?
The Santa Maria Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Run at 1 1/16 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 calendar. First run in 1934, the Santa Maria has served as a showcase for elite older fillies and mares for over nine decades, featuring champions such as Bayakoa, Serena's Song, and Unique Bella among its historic winners. The race is a cornerstone of the Santa Anita Hollywood Meet and draws top distaff talent from trainers across Southern California and beyond.
When is the Santa Maria Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Santa Maria Stakes is scheduled for Sunday, April 19 at Santa Anita Park. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt with a purse of $100,000, the race features accomplished older fillies and mares looking to establish their credentials on the Hollywood Meet circuit heading toward summer championship races.
Santa Maria Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Santa Maria Stakes has a distinguished modern history driven by top trainers and elite distaff talent. Bob Baffert has dominated the race with seven victories, including Chilean import Richi's dominant 2025 score under Antonio Fresu. Richard Mandella's Coffee in Bed took the 2024 edition under Hall of Famer Mike Smith, while Baffert's Adare Manor won in 2023 under Juan Hernandez. Private Mission gave trainer Sean McCarthy a memorable 2022 score, and As Time Goes By continued the Baffert-Smith partnership with a 2021 victory.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Richi (CHI) | Antonio Fresu | 1:42.60 |
| 2024 | Coffee in Bed | Mike Smith | 1:45.16 |
| 2023 | Adare Manor | Juan Hernandez | 1:43.10 |
| 2022 | Private Mission | Juan Hernandez | 1:43.46 |
| 2021 | As Time Goes By | Mike Smith | 1:43.77 |
Last Updated on 04/16/2026
The Santa Maria Stakes is a signature event of the Santa Anita Hollywood Meet and one of the premier distaff tests on the West Coast each spring.
