2026 Results of Santa Ynez Stakes

Exotic Payouts:

• $1.00 Exacta (5-2): $2.60
• $1.00 Trifecta (5-2-4): $5.60

Watch the 2026 Santa Ynez Stakes

History of the Santa Ynez Stakes

The Santa Ynez Stakes was first run in 1952 at Santa Anita Park and has long been a key early-season race for three-year-old fillies on the West Coast. Named after the Santa Ynez Valley in California, the race was designed to showcase young sprint talent and provide a stepping stone toward longer stakes races later in the spring. Contested at seven furlongs on dirt, it has consistently highlighted fillies with speed and early-season form.

Over the decades, the Santa Ynez Stakes has attracted many of the top California-based fillies and has served as an important launching point for future stars. Notable winners include champions such as Silverbulletday, who went on to win the Kentucky Oaks, and Beholder, a multiple Eclipse Award winner and Breeders’ Cup champion. Their performances helped elevate the race’s reputation as a proving ground for elite talent.

The race has undergone changes in grading and conditions over time, reflecting shifts in the racing landscape. While it has generally remained a sprint, its role has evolved alongside the introduction of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks points system, increasing its importance as an early prep race. Its placement early in the calendar allows trainers to assess whether their fillies can transition successfully from sprint distances to route races.

Today, the Santa Ynez Stakes remains a vital part of Santa Anita’s winter meet and an important first step for many fillies beginning their three-year-old campaigns. For fans and bettors, it offers an early look at speed-oriented contenders who may develop into major players as the season progresses.

All-Time Results of the Santa Ynez Stakes