2026 Results of the Martha Washington Stakes

History of the Martha Washington Stakes

The Martha Washington Stakes is an early-season race for three year old fillies held at Oaklawn Park. First run in the late 1970s, the race has long been a staple of the Oaklawn winter meet and an important starting point for fillies beginning their sophomore campaigns. Contested at one mile on dirt, it offers an early opportunity for developing runners to gain experience in stakes company before stretching out in distance later in the season.

Over the years, the Martha Washington Stakes has served as a launching pad for several notable fillies who went on to achieve success at higher levels. Among its most prominent winners is Rachel Alexandra, who captured the race in 2009 before embarking on one of the most celebrated seasons in racing history. Her dominant victory at Oaklawn helped signal her emergence as a generational talent, and she would go on to defeat top male competition and earn Horse of the Year honors.

The race has also produced other strong performers who progressed through Oaklawn’s filly series, including runners who advanced to the Honeybee Stakes and Fantasy Stakes later in the meet. Its position early on the calendar makes it a valuable first step in evaluating stamina, running style, and readiness for tougher competition. For many trainers, the race provides a controlled introduction to stakes racing while setting the stage for more ambitious goals.

Today, the Martha Washington Stakes is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, awarding qualifying points toward a start at Churchill Downs. While it offers fewer points than later preps, it remains an important early indicator of talent and a key component of Oaklawn Park’s series for three year old fillies. For fans and bettors, it provides an early look at horses who may develop into serious contenders as the spring racing season unfolds.

All-Time Results of the Martha Washington Stakes