Great Lady M. Stakes
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The Great Lady M Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three and older run over a distance of six and one half furlongs on the dirt held annually in July at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, California.
History
The event was inaugurated on 14 June 1941 as the Sequoia Handicap at Hollywood Park Racetrack and was easily won by movie mogul Louis B. Mayer owned filly Painted Veil in a time of 1:232⁄5 for the 7 furlong distance. During World War II the event was not run in 1942 and 1943 returning in 1944 in November as an event for two-year-old fillies over 6 furlongs. After the conclusion of the World War II the event was held in September in 1945. In 1946 Louis B. Mayer won the event for the third time with his three-year-old filly Honeymoon winning.
The event was not held from 1947 through 1958.
From 1959 the event was either held in April or in late May.
The event was reclassified as Grade III in 1986 and was upgraded to Grade II in 1990.
In 1979 the event was renamed to the A Gleam Handicap in honor of Calumet Farm's filly, A Gleam, whose five stakes wins in 1952 is the co-record for most stakes race wins in a single meet at Hollywood Park including the Milady Handicap in record time.| A Gleam was voted Hollywood Park's 1952 "Horse of the Meet."
In 2009, Evita Argentina became the first 3-year-old to win the A Gleam Handicap since Honeymoon did it in 1946.
With the closure of Hollywood Park Racetrack in 2013 the event was moved Los Alamitos Race Course and renamed to the Great Lady M Stakes in honor of the mare Great Lady M who won the 1980 A Gleam Handicap in an upset. Great Lady M earlier had equalled the track record winning the 1979 Orange Coast Handicap at Los Alamitos Race Course over 6 furlongs in 1:094⁄5. Great Lady M's success was more evident off the track as she was the dam of 1986 United States Horse of the Year Lady's Secret.
In 2021, the 2020 US Female Sprint Champion Gamine, set a new winning margin by ten lengths defeating four other runners as the short 1/5 odds-on favorite.
In 2024, Sweet Azteca set a new track record for the 6+1⁄2–furlong distance winning by five lengths and bettered that record the following year defeating the odds-on favorite Kopion.
Records
Speed record:
- 6+1⁄2 furlongs: 1:14.32 – Sweet Azteca (2025) (Track record)
- 7 furlongs: 1:20.40 – A. P. Assay (1998) (Equaled track record)
Margins:
- 10 lengths – Gamine (2021)
Most wins:
- 2 – Linita (1961, 1963)
- 2 – Somethinaboutlaura (2006, 2007)
- 2 – Marley's Freedom (2018, 2019)
- 2 – Sweet Azteca (2024, 2025)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 – Louis B. Mayer (1941, 1944, 1946)
- 3 – John G. Sikura (in partnership 2006, 2007, 2011)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 7 – Gary Stevens (1986, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2005)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 7 – Bob Baffert (2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Los Alamitos – Great Lady M Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2025 | Sweet Azteca | 5 | Juan J. Hernandez | Richard Baltas | Pamela C. Ziebarth | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.32 | $200,500 | II | |
| 2024 | Sweet Azteca | 4 | Juan J. Hernandez | Michael McCarthy | Pamela C. Ziebarth | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.33 | $202,500 | II | |
| 2023 | Eda | 7 | Juan J. Hernandez | Bob Baffert | Baoma | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.06 | $202,000 | II | |
| 2022 | Becca Taylor | 4 | Juan J. Hernandez | Steven Miyadi | Nicholas B. Alexander | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.25 | $201,000 | II | |
| 2021 | Gamine | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Bob Baffert | Michael Lund Peterson | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.98 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2020 | Sneaking Out | 5 | Martin Garcia | Jerry Hollendorfer | KMN Racing | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.62 | $201,000 | II | |
| 2019 | Marley's Freedom | 5 | Drayden Van Dyke | Bob Baffert | Cicero Farms | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.33 | $200,351 | II | |
| 2018 | Marley's Freedom | 4 | Drayden Van Dyke | Bob Baffert | Cicero Farms | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.00 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2017 | Skye Diamonds | 4 | Tiago Josue Pereira | William Spawr | Tom Acker, Allen Racing, Bloom Racing Stables | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.79 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2016 | Finest City | 4 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Ian Kruljac | Seltzer Thoroughbreds | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.48 | $200,690 | II | |
| 2015 | Fantastic Style | 3 | Rafael Bejarano | Bob Baffert | Kaleem Shah | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.78 | $200,750 | II | |
| 2014 | Doinghardtimeagain | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Jerry Hollendorfer | Tommy Town Thoroughbred | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.59 | $200,500 | II | |
| At Hollywood Park – A Gleam Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2013 | Book Review | 4 | Rafael Bejarano | Bob Baffert | Mary & Gary West | 7 furlongs | 1:22.75 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2012 | Switch | 5 | Garrett K. Gomez | John W. Sadler | CRK Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:24.37 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2011 | Irish Gypsy | 5 | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Michael E. Pegram & John G. Sikura | 7 furlongs | 1:22.44 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2010 | Sweet August Moon | 5 | Victor Espinoza | Brian J. Koriner | Legacy Ranch & Team MacPherson | 7 furlongs | 1:21.77 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2009 | Evita Argentina | 3 | Joel Rosario | John W. Sadler | Three Sisters Thoroughbreds & Halo Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:21.80 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2008 | Dearest Trickski | 4 | Mike E. Smith | John W. Sadler | Tom Mankiewicz | 7 furlongs | 1:21.55 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2007 | Somethinaboutlaura | 5 | Victor Espinoza | Jerry Hollendorfer | John G. Sikura, George Todaro, Miller et al. | 7 furlongs | 1:21.93 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2006 | Somethinaboutlaura | 4 | Victor Espinoza | Jerry Hollendorfer | John G. Sikura, George Todaro, Miller et al. | 7 furlongs | 1:20.88 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2005 | Alphabet Kisses | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Martin F. Jones | Harris Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:21.67 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2004 | Dream of Summer | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Juan J. Garcia | James Weigel | 7 furlongs | 1:21.00 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2003 | Cee's Elegance | 6 | Victor Espinoza | Doug F. O'Neill | Cee's Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.47 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2002 | Irguns Angel | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Alfredo Marquez Casillas | Ron & Susie Anson | 7 furlongs | 1:22.50 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2001 | Go Go | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Warren Stute | Alan & Paula Thomas | 7 furlongs | 1:22.19 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2000 | Honest Lady | 4 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:21.47 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1999 | Enjoy the Moment | 4 | David R. Flores | William Spawr | Farfellow Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:21.35 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1998 | A. P. Assay | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | J. Paco Gonzalez | John Toffan & Trudy McCaffery | 7 furlongs | 1:20.40 | $250,000 | II | |
| 1997 | Toga Toga Toga | 5 | Gary L. Stevens | Eduardo Inda | Stanley Bell | 7 furlongs | 1:22.60 | $108,400 | II | |
| 1996 | Igotrhythm | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Robert J. Frankel | Edmund A. Gann | 7 furlongs | 1:21.40 | $106,400 | II | |
| 1995 | Angi Go | 5 | Gary L. Stevens | David E. Hofmans | Kenneth D. Hartley | 7 furlongs | 1:21.40 | $107,700 | II | |
| 1994 | Golden Klair (GB) | 4 | Chris McCarron | Darrell Vienna | No Problem Stable & Sido Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.00 | $102,900 | II | |
| 1993 | Bold Windy | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Gary F. Jones | Raymond T. Dilbeck | 7 furlongs | 1:21.60 | $110,700 | II | |
| 1992 | Forest Fealty | 5 | Martin A. Pedroza | Brian A. Mayberry | Jan, Mace & Samantha Siegel | 7 furlongs | 1:22.00 | $109,800 | II | |
| 1991 | Survive | 7 | Russell Baze | Richard E. Mandella | Edward Allred & Randall D. Hubbard | 7 furlongs | 1:22.00 | $107,400 | II | |
| 1990 | Stormy But Valid | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Brian A. Mayberry | Jan, Mace & Samantha Siegel | 7 furlongs | 1:21.20 | $106,300 | II | |
| 1989 | Daloma (FR) | 5 | Chris McCarron | Charles E. Whittingham | Enemy Stables & Mandysland Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:21.60 | $81,650 | III | |
| 1988 | Integra | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Henry M. Moreno | George Aubin | 7 furlongs | 1:23.00 | $79,950 | III | |
| 1987 | Le L'Argent | 5 | Darrel McHargue | Richard E. Mandella | L. Jean & M. & R. Daley | 7 furlongs | 1:23.00 | $82,400 | III | |
| 1986 | Outstandingly | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:21.80 | $79,850 | III | |
| 1985 | Dontstop Themusic | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Randy Winick | Albert R. & Dana N. Broccoli | 7 furlongs | 1:21.40 | $63,500 | † Exhibition | |
| 1984 | Lass Trump | 4 | Chris McCarron | Claude R. McGaughey III | Alan Samford | 7 furlongs | 1:21.20 | $66,400 | ||
| 1983 | Matching | 5 | Ray Sibille | Steven L. Morguelan | Glencrest Farm & Morguelan | 7 furlongs | 1:22.40 | $54,300 | ||
| 1982 | Happy Bride (IRE) | 4 | Walter Guerra | Laz Barrera | Dolly Green | 6 furlongs | 1:08.40 | $53,200 | ||
| 1981 | She Can't Miss | 4 | Pat Valenzuela | D. Wayne Lukas | Elcee-H Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:09.00 | $54,550 | ||
| 1980 | Great Lady M. | 5 | Pat Valenzuela | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert H. Spreen | 6 furlongs | 1:08.40 | $53,050 | ||
| 1979 | Delice | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Robert L. Wheeler | Michael G. Rutherford | 6 furlongs | 1:08.80 | $43,100 | ||
| Sequoia Handicap | ||||||||||
| 1978 | Reminiscing | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Laz Barrera | Jacobs & Harbor View Farms | 6 furlongs | 1:09.60 | $43,450 | ||
| 1977 | Just A Kick | 5 | Sandy Hawley | Roger E. Clapp | Mrs. Connie M. Ring | 6 furlongs | 1:09.40 | $31,950 | ||
| 1976 | Winter Solstice | 4 | Jerry Lambert | Gordon C. Campbell | Bernard J. Ridder | 6 furlongs | 1:09.00 | $33,500 | ||
| 1975 | Viva La Vivi | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Harold Hodosh | Hrotman & Malibu Stables | 6 furlongs | 1:08.40 | $32,300 | III | |
| 1974 | Lt.'s Joy | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Robert J. Frankel | W. A. Levin | 6 furlongs | 1:09.00 | $27,250 | III | |
| 1973 | Wingo Belle | 5 | Robert Nono | William A. Reavis | Mabell Coffer | 6 furlongs | 1:08.60 | $32,650 | III | |
| 1972 | § Convenience | 4 | Robert Nono | Willard L. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | 6 furlongs | 1:08.60 | $32,650 | ||
| 1971 | Ribula | 4 | Salistino Burgos | Kenneth J. Anderson | Hal Clay & Stuart Strock | 6 furlongs | 1:09.20 | $27,750 | ||
| 1970 | Lynne's Orphan | 4 | Jerry Lambert | Linwood J. Brooks | Lester Eaton & General W. W. Kratz | 6 furlongs | 1:09.00 | $22,400 | ||
| 1969 | Indian Love Call | 4 | Álvaro Pineda | William J. Hirsch | Alfred G. Vanderbilt | 6 furlongs | 1:09.00 | $22,200 | ||
| 1968 | Romanticism | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | James W. Maloney | William Haggin Perry | 6 furlongs | 1:09.20 | $22,550 | ||
| 1967 | Admirably | 5 | Walter Blum | Louis Glauburg | E. J. Anderson | 6 furlongs | 1:09.20 | $22,850 | ||
| 1966 | Privileged | 4 | William Mahorney | Fred Harvey | Mr. & Mrs Hamilton M. Hughes | 6 furlongs | 1:09.60 | $22,500 | ||
| 1965 | Kea | 6 | Donald Ross | Farrell W. Jones | Bresa Del Mar Ranch | 6 furlongs | 1:10.20 | $22,250 | ||
| 1964 | Curious Clover | 4 | Kenneth Church | Clyde Turk | Louis R. Rowan | 6 furlongs | 1:09.80 | $23,200 | ||
| 1963 | Linita | 6 | Ismael Valenzuela | Clyde Turk | Angelo & Herman Corradini & George Dorney | 6 furlongs | 1:09.60 | $22,100 | ||
| 1962 | Nascania | 5 | Ray York | Wally Dunn | Louis R. Rowan | 6 furlongs | 1:09.80 | $16,525 | ||
| 1961 | Linita | 4 | Johnny Longden | Clyde Turk | Angelo & Herman Corradini & George Dorney | 6 furlongs | 1:09.00 | $16,275 | ||
| 1960 | Liberal Lady | 5 | Rudy Campas | Harris B. Brown | Mrs. Tilyou Christopher | 6 furlongs | 1:08.40 | $16,850 | ||
| 1959 | Bug Brush | 4 | Angel Valenzuela | Robert L. Wheeler | Cornelius V. Whitney | 6 furlongs | 1:09.20 | $16,725 | ||
| 1947–1958 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 1946 | Honeymoon | 3 | Jack Westrope | Graceton W. Philpot | Louis B. Mayer | 7 furlongs | 1:23.00 | $28,050 | ||
| 1945 | Jerry Lee | 5 | Anthony Skoronski | C. Ralph West | Walter G. McCarty | 7 furlongs | 1:23.00 | $17,685 | ||
| 1944 | Hemisphere | 2 | George Woolf | George M. Odom | Louis B. Mayer | 6 furlongs | 1:12.60 | $12,875 | 2YO fillies | |
| 1942–1943 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 1941 | Painted Veil | 3 | Jack Westrope | Graceton W. Philpot | Louis B. Mayer | 7 furlongs | 1:23.40 | $10,925 |
Legend: All Weather Track Dirt Notes: † The event in 1985 was an exhibition race with four entries that had no wagering. § Ran as part of an entry