“Stakes race” means a race for which owners of horses entered or engaged for the race contribute to a purse for which money or any other prize may be added, nominations to which close 72 hours or more before starting; or an invitational race or invitational handicap race for which owners do not conribute to the purse, but which is advertised in the regular stakes program.
Source:
Section 19408.3, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=19408.3..