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 1:23 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 World War II the event was held in September 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 are 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 1:09. 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 –furlong distance winning by five lengths and bettered that record the following year defeating the odds-on favorite Kopion.

Sweet Azteca also won the event in 2025 and 2026 becoming the first triple winner of the event.

Records Speed record: 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: 3 – Sweet Azteca (2024, 2025, 2026)

Most wins by an owner: 3 – Louis B. Mayer (1941, 1944, 1946) 3 – John G. Sikura (in partnership 2006, 2007, 2011) 3 – Pamela C. Ziebarth (2024, 2025, 2026)

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 Stakes2026Sweet Azteca 6Armando AyusoRichard BaltasPamela C. Ziebarth furlongs 1:15.67$201,000II2025Sweet Azteca 5Juan J. HernandezRichard BaltasPamela C. Ziebarth furlongs 1:14.32 $200,500II2024Sweet Azteca 4Juan J. Hernandez Michael McCarthyPamela C. Ziebarth furlongs 1:14.33 $202,500II2023Eda7Juan J. HernandezBob BaffertBaoma furlongs 1:15.06$202,000II2022Becca Taylor4Juan J. HernandezSteven MiyadiNicholas B. Alexander furlongs1:15.25$201,000II2021Gamine 4John R. VelazquezBob BaffertMichael Lund Peterson furlongs1:14.98$200,000II2020Sneaking Out 5Martin GarciaJerry HollendorferKMN Racing furlongs1:14.62$201,000II2019Marley's Freedom5Drayden Van DykeBob BaffertCicero Farms furlongs1:15.33$200,351II2018Marley's Freedom4Drayden Van DykeBob BaffertCicero Farms furlongs1:15.00$200,000II2017Skye Diamonds4Tiago Josue PereiraWilliam SpawrTom Acker, Allen Racing, Bloom Racing Stables furlongs1:14.79$200,000II2016Finest City4Kent J. DesormeauxIan KruljacSeltzer Thoroughbreds furlongs1:14.48$200,690II2015Fantastic Style3Rafael BejaranoBob BaffertKaleem Shah furlongs1:14.78$200,750II2014Doinghardtimeagain4Mike E. SmithJerry HollendorferTommy Town Thoroughbred furlongs1:15.59$200,500IIAt Hollywood Park – A Gleam Handicap2013Book Review4Rafael BejaranoBob BaffertMary & Gary West7 furlongs1:22.75$200,000II2012Switch5Garrett K. GomezJohn W. SadlerCRK Stable7 furlongs1:24.37$200,000II2011Irish Gypsy5Martin GarciaBob BaffertMichael E. Pegram & John G. Sikura 7 furlongs1:22.44$200,000II2010Sweet August Moon5Victor EspinozaBrian J. KorinerLegacy Ranch & Team MacPherson7 furlongs1:21.77$150,000II2009Evita Argentina3Joel RosarioJohn W. SadlerThree Sisters Thoroughbreds & Halo Farms7 furlongs1:21.80$150,000II2008Dearest Trickski4Mike E. SmithJohn W. SadlerTom Mankiewicz7 furlongs1:21.55$150,000II2007Somethinaboutlaura5Victor EspinozaJerry HollendorferJohn G. Sikura, George Todaro, Miller et al.7 furlongs1:21.93$150,000II2006Somethinaboutlaura4Victor EspinozaJerry HollendorferJohn G. Sikura, George Todaro, Miller et al.7 furlongs1:20.88$150,000II2005Alphabet Kisses4Gary L. StevensMartin F. JonesHarris Farms 7 furlongs1:21.67$150,000II2004Dream of Summer5Mike E. SmithJuan J. GarciaJames Weigel7 furlongs1:21.00$150,000II2003Cee's Elegance6Victor EspinozaDoug F. O'NeillCee's Stable7 furlongs1:21.47$250,000II2002Irguns Angel4Alfredo Marquez CasillasRon & Susie Anson7 furlongs1:22.50$200,000II2001Go Go4Eddie DelahoussayeWarren StuteAlan & Paula Thomas 7 furlongs1:22.19$200,000II2000Honest Lady4Kent J. DesormeauxRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farms7 furlongs1:21.47$200,000II1999Enjoy the Moment4David R. FloresWilliam SpawrFarfellow Farms 7 furlongs1:21.35$200,000II1998A. P. Assay4Eddie DelahoussayeJ. Paco GonzalezJohn Toffan & Trudy McCaffery7 furlongs1:20.40$250,000II1997Toga Toga Toga5Gary L. StevensEduardo IndaStanley Bell7 furlongs1:22.60$108,400II1996Igotrhythm4Eddie DelahoussayeRobert J. FrankelEdmund A. Gann 7 furlongs1:21.40$106,400II1995Angi Go5Gary L. StevensDavid E. HofmansKenneth D. Hartley7 furlongs1:21.40$107,700II1994Golden Klair (GB)4Chris McCarronDarrell ViennaNo Problem Stable & Sido Stable7 furlongs1:22.00$102,900II1993Bold Windy4Gary L. StevensGary F. JonesRaymond T. Dilbeck7 furlongs1:21.60$110,700II1992Forest Fealty5Martin A. PedrozaBrian A. MayberryJan, Mace & Samantha Siegel7 furlongs1:22.00$109,800II1991Survive7Russell BazeRichard E. MandellaEdward Allred & Randall D. Hubbard7 furlongs1:22.00$107,400II1990Stormy But Valid4Gary L. StevensBrian A. MayberryJan, Mace & Samantha Siegel7 furlongs1:21.20$106,300II1989Daloma (FR)5Chris McCarronCharles E. WhittinghamEnemy Stables & Mandysland Farm7 furlongs1:21.60$81,650III 1988Integra4Gary L. StevensHenry M. MorenoGeorge Aubin7 furlongs1:23.00$79,950III1987Le L'Argent5Darrel McHargueRichard E. MandellaL. Jean & M. & R. Daley7 furlongs1:23.00$82,400III 1986Outstandingly4Gary L. StevensLaz BarreraHarbor View Farm7 furlongs1:21.80$79,850III1985Dontstop Themusic5Laffit Pincay Jr.Randy WinickAlbert R. & Dana N. Broccoli7 furlongs1:21.40$63,500 1984Lass Trump4Chris McCarronAlan Samford7 furlongs1:21.20$66,400 1983Matching5Ray SibilleSteven L. MorguelanGlencrest Farm & Morguelan7 furlongs1:22.40$54,300 1982Happy Bride (IRE)4Walter GuerraLaz BarreraDolly Green6 furlongs1:08.40$53,200 1981She Can't Miss4Pat ValenzuelaD. Wayne LukasElcee-H Stable6 furlongs1:09.00$54,550 1980Great Lady M. 5Pat ValenzuelaD. Wayne LukasRobert H. Spreen6 furlongs1:08.40$53,050 1979Delice4Eddie DelahoussayeRobert L. WheelerMichael G. Rutherford6 furlongs1:08.80$43,100 Sequoia Handicap1978Reminiscing4Laffit Pincay Jr.Laz BarreraJacobs & Harbor View Farms6 furlongs1:09.60$43,450 1977Just A Kick 5Sandy HawleyRoger E. ClappMrs. Connie M. Ring6 furlongs1:09.40$31,950 1976Winter Solstice4Jerry LambertGordon C. CampbellBernard J. Ridder6 furlongs1:09.00$33,500 1975Viva La Vivi 5Laffit Pincay Jr.Harold HodoshHrotman & Malibu Stables6 furlongs1:08.40$32,300 III 1974Lt.'s Joy 4Laffit Pincay Jr.Robert J. FrankelW. A. Levin6 furlongs1:09.00$27,250 III 1973Wingo Belle 5Robert NonoWilliam A. ReavisMabell Coffer6 furlongs1:08.60$32,650III 1972§ Convenience 4Robert NonoWillard L. ProctorGlen Hill Farm6 furlongs1:08.60$32,650 1971Ribula 4Salistino BurgosKenneth J. AndersonHal Clay & Stuart Strock6 furlongs1:09.20$27,750 1970Lynne's Orphan 4Jerry LambertLinwood J. BrooksLester Eaton & General W. W. Kratz6 furlongs1:09.00$22,400 1969Indian Love Call 4Álvaro PinedaWilliam J. HirschAlfred G. Vanderbilt6 furlongs1:09.00$22,200 1968Romanticism 5Laffit Pincay Jr.James W. MaloneyWilliam Haggin Perry6 furlongs1:09.20$22,550 1967Admirably 5Walter BlumLouis GlauburgE. J. Anderson6 furlongs1:09.20$22,850 1966Privileged 4William MahorneyFred HarveyMr. & Mrs Hamilton M. Hughes6 furlongs1:09.60$22,500 1965Kea 6Donald RossFarrell W. JonesBresa Del Mar Ranch6 furlongs1:10.20$22,250 1964Curious Clover 4Kenneth ChurchClyde TurkLouis R. Rowan6 furlongs1:09.80$23,200 1963Linita 6Ismael ValenzuelaClyde TurkAngelo & Herman Corradini & George Dorney6 furlongs1:09.60$22,100 1962Nascania 5Ray YorkWally DunnLouis R. Rowan6 furlongs1:09.80$16,525 1961Linita 4Johnny LongdenClyde TurkAngelo & Herman Corradini & George Dorney6 furlongs1:09.00$16,275 1960Liberal Lady 5Rudy CampasHarris B. BrownMrs. Tilyou Christopher6 furlongs1:08.40$16,850 1959Bug Brush 4Angel ValenzuelaRobert L. WheelerCornelius V. Whitney6 furlongs1:09.20$16,725 1947–1958Race not held1946Honeymoon 3Jack WestropeGraceton W. PhilpotLouis B. Mayer7 furlongs1:23.00$28,050 1945Jerry Lee5 Anthony SkoronskiC. Ralph WestWalter G. McCarty7 furlongs1:23.00$17,685 1944Hemisphere 2 George WoolfGeorge M. OdomLouis B. Mayer6 furlongs1:12.60$12,875 1942–1943Race not held1941Painted Veil 3Jack WestropeGraceton W. PhilpotLouis B. Mayer7 furlongs1:23.40$10,925

Legend:

Notes:

† The event in 1985 was an exhibition race with four entries that had no wagering.

§ Ran as part of an entry

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links 2012 Hollywood Park Media Guide Ten Things You Should Know About the A Gleam Handicap at Hello Race Fans!

References