ARCADIA, Calif. – Meaning did not run particularly fast in winning the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks on Saturday, but she ran fast enough. Heavily favored off a workmanlike comeback victory last month, Meaning ($3.80) won the Oaks by two lengths over stablemate Brooklyn Blonde as trainer Michael McCarthy finished one-two. The final time for the Oaks was 1:43.99 over a track that produced fast sprint times early on the card. The Oaks was the first dirt route Saturday; Meaning is expected to earn a Beyer Speed Figure in the low 80s. There will be plenty of time to analyze speed figures leading into the Kentucky Oaks. In the meantime, Meaning is establishing herself as a consistent, reliable filly who is building an outstanding resume. Her victory Saturday was her third from four starts. Brooklyn Blonde, last-out maiden winner, finished 13 3/4 lengths clear of third-place Bank Shot. The Oaks order was completed by Red Cherry, French Blue, and Hypergamy. Forced Entry, who won the Grade 3 Las Virgenes Stakes last out, was pulled up on the first turn after jockey Mike Smith felt she “didn’t feel comfortable.” Forced Entry appeared fine afterward. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. As for the winner, Juan Hernandez has worked Meaning, but Saturday was the first time he rode her in a race. Hernandez felt he always had the favorite in the right spot. “I could have gone to the lead if I wanted, she broke so sharp and so good,” Hernandez said. “I just took her back, and she came back to me. I was saving ground inside (third or fourth) waiting for something to open up.” Hernandez was in no hurry, because French Blue and Red Cherry were keeping the pace honest by running one-two early. Brooklyn Blond, third on the outside under Kazushi Kimura, got first run on the leaders. “She’s the type horse that’s not going to accelerate,” Kimura said regarding Brooklyn Blonde. “Today went smooth, she doesn’t like kickback, and we had the outside post.” Brooklyn Blonde got first run, but Meaning came off the rail at the quarter pole, and was running at her. The favorite got the best of her stablemate and pulled away late. The Oaks was run on the Santa Anita Derby undercard, and Meaning’s trainer was celebrating an anniversary of sorts. One year ago, Journalism won the 2025 Santa Anita Derby. “Always good when you can be part of the big days like this here at Santa Anita,” McCarthy said. “Obviously, the Santa Anita Derby and Santa Anita Oaks carry a lot of clout.” Meaning, fourth last year in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in only her second start, is owned by Bridlewood Farm and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. McCarthy said the jockey situation for the Kentucky Oaks is to be determined. Flavien Prat rode her last out in the Las Virgenes. McCarthy said a decision regarding Brooklyn Blonde in the Kentucky Oaks is to be determined. “I think you’d have to think about it,” McCarthy said. Brooklyn Blonde, also by Gun Runner, was coming off a 79-Beyer maiden victory. The most recent Santa Anita Oaks winner to win the Kentucky Oaks was Rags to Riches in 2007. In the 18 years since, only one Kentucky Oaks winner exited the Santa Anita Oaks – 2017 runner-up Abel Tasman. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.