As a two-year-old, Hidden Lake won only once, in her second start on August 5, 1995, at
Del Mar racetrack. She showed some promise by finishing second in the
Maker's Mark Stakes and
Anoakia Stakes. She started her three-year-old season with an allowance race win on January 6, 1996, at Santa Anita but then went on a six race losing streak that included third-place finishes in the
Santa Anita Oaks and
Las Virgenes Stakes, both Grade I stakes. She finally earned her first graded stakes win in the grade II
La Brea Stakes on December 29. She followed this up with a win in the Grade I
Hempstead Handicap (now known as the Ogden Phipps), then shipped to
Saratoga for the
Go For Wand Handicap on July 27. Hidden Lake went to the early lead but was challenged by Flat Fleet Feet, who moved alongside when they entered the stretch. Flat Fleet Feet looked to have the advantage but Hidden Lake fought back and prevailed by a head. Her jockey,
Richard Migliore, called the Go For Wand "one of his most memorable victories", saying, "From the recesses of her heart, Hidden Lake found a way to fight back and win. After the finish line, she actually collapsed from exhaustion. That was how much effort she put into winning that race. She was running on empty and found more to give". It was nearly three months before Hidden Lake was ready to race again, but she returned with a victory in the
Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park on October 17. Shipped back to California for the
Breeders' Cup Distaff at Hollywood Park, she finished seventh in the last start of her career. She received the Eclipse Award as the
American Champion Older Dirt Female Horse of 1997. ==Retirement==