| Class | Grade I |
|---|---|
| Horse race | Stephen Foster Stakes |
| Location | Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
| Inaugurated | 1982 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Churchill Downs |
| Distance | 1 1⁄8 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-Year-Olds and older |
| Weight | 124 lbs |
| Purse | $1,000,000 (2023) |
| Bonuses | Winner automatic entry into Breeders' Cup Classic |
The Stephen Foster Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three and older over a distance of 1 1⁄8 miles on the dirt run annually in mid-June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is named in honor of famed composer Stephen Foster, who wrote numerous melodies including "My Old Kentucky Home" which is the song that is annually played as the Kentucky Derby field parades on the track.[1]
History
The Stephen Foster Handicap was inaugurated on 19 June 1982 as the Stephen Foster Handicap and has progressed from Grade III status in 1988 to Grade II in 1995 to Grade I in 2002.[2] In 2019, it was downgraded to Grade II.[3] In 2023 the event was upgraded by the American Graded Stakes Committee to Grade I.[4]
Currently offering a purse of $1,000,000, the race draws some of the top older horses from various parts of the United States. Since 2015 the event is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" event, offering the winner an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic.[5]
The race was restricted to horses four years of age an older in 1983 and from 1985 through 1987.[1]
The 2006 edition of the Stephen Foster Handicap produced its biggest upset ever when jockey Calvin Borel aboard 91-1 longshot Seek Gold defeated the favored 2003 winner, Perfect Drift.[1]
Four horses used victories in the Stephen Foster as part of their resumes in Horse of the Year campaigns. The four are Black Tie Affair (1991), Saint Liam (2005), Curlin (2008), and Gun Runner (2017). Five horses have won the Stephen Foster and the Breeders' Cup Classic in the same year. Black Tie Affair (1991), Awesome Again (1998) and Blame (2010) won both races at Churchill Downs. Saint Liam (2005) won his running of the Classic at Belmont Park. Gun Runner (2017) won the Classic at Del Mar. Curlin (2008) carried the highest impost of any Stephen Foster winner: 128 pounds. Colonial Colony (2004) carried the lightest winning Foster impost at 111 pounds.[1]
The race moved for one year in 2023 to Ellis Park on the Indiana-Kentucky border as a result of numerous spring meeting fatalities.[6]
Records
Speed record
- 1:47.28 - Victory Gallop (1999)
Margins
- 7 lengths - Gun Runner (2017)
Most wins
- 2 - Vodika Collins (1982, 1983)
- 2 - Recoup the Cash (1994, 1995)
Most wins by a jockey
- 3 - Robby Albarado (2007, 2008, 2009)
- 3 - Pat Day (1985, 1998, 2003)
Most wins by a trainer
- 2 - Forrest Kaelin (1982, 1983)
- 2 - Jere Smith Jr. (1994, 1995)
- 2 - Patrick B. Byrne (1997, 1998)
- 2 - Mark E. Casse (2011, 2015)
- 2 - Steven M. Asmussen (2011, 2015)
- 2 - Dallas Stewart (2009, 2019)
- 2 - Albert Stall Jr. (2010, 2020)
- 2 - William I. Mott (2011, 2015)
- 2 - Todd A. Pletcher (2024, 2025)
Most wins by an owner
- 2 - Milbert B. Collins (1982, 1983)
- 2 - Richard E. Trebat (1994, 1995)
- 2 - Stronach Stables (1998, 2000)
- 2 - West Point Thoroughbreds (2007, 2009)
- 2 - Claiborne Farm (1992, 2010)
- 2 - Godolphin (2002, 2021)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Churchill Downs – Stephen Foster Stakes | |||||||||
| 2025 | Mindframe | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stable & St. Elias Stables | 1:47.48 | $940,000 | I | [7] |
| 2024 | Kingsbarns | 4 | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | Spendthrift Farm | 1:48.09 | $1,000,000 | I | [8] |
| At Ellis Park | |||||||||
| 2023 | West Will Power | 6 | Flavien Prat | Brad H. Cox | Gary & Mary West | 1:47.93 | $1,000,000 | I | [9] |
| At Churchill Downs | |||||||||
| 2022 | Olympiad | 4 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables & LNJ Foxwoods | 1:47.66 | $600,000 | II | [10] |
| 2021 | Maxfield | 4 | Jose L. Ortiz | Brendan P. Walsh | Godolphin | 1:48.53 | $600,000 | II | [11] |
| 2020 | Tom's d'Etat | 7 | Miguel Mena | Albert Stall Jr. | G M B Racing | 1:47.30 | $500,000 | II | [12] |
| 2019 | Seeking the Soul | 6 | John R. Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | Charles E. Fipke | 1:49.27 | $600,000 | II | [13] |
| Stephen Foster Handicap | |||||||||
| 2018 | Pavel | 4 | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O'Neill | Reddam Racing | 1:49.21 | $500,000 | I | [14] |
| 2017 | Gun Runner | 4 | Florent Geroux | Steven M. Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds & Three Chimneys Farm | 1:47.56 | $500,000 | I | [15] |
| 2016 | Bradester | 6 | Joe Bravo | Eddie Kenneally | Joseph Sutton | 1:48.85 | $500,000 | I | [16] |
| 2015 | Noble Bird | 4 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Mark E. Casse | John C. Oxley | 1:47.94 | $500,000 | I | [17] |
| 2014 | Moonshine Mullin | 6 | Calvin H. Borel | Randy L. Morse | Randy Patterson | 1:49.66 | $500,000 | I | [18] |
| 2013 | Fort Larned | 5 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Ian R. Wilkes | Janis R. Whitham | 1:47.45 | $500,000 | I | [19] |
| 2012 | Ron the Greek | 5 | Jose Lezcano | William I. Mott | Brous Stable, Wachtel Stable & Jack Hammer | 1:50.51 | $437,200 | I | [20] |
| 2011 | Pool Play | 6 | Miguel Mena | Mark E. Casse | William S. Farish IV | 1:50.52 | $561,300 | I | [21] |
| 2010 | Blame | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | Albert Stall Jr. | Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider | 1:49.37 | $671,700 | I | [22] |
| 2009 | Macho Again | 4 | Robby Albarado | Dallas Stewart | West Point Thoroughbreds | 1:49.75 | $660,000 | I | [23] |
| 2008 | Curlin | 4 | Robby Albarado | Steven M. Asmussen | Stonestreet Stables et al. | 1:49.68 | $1,000,000 | I | [24] |
| 2007 | Flashy Bull | 4 | Robby Albarado | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | West Point Thoroughbreds | 1:48.63 | $829,500 | I | [25] |
| 2006 | Seek Gold | 6 | Calvin H. Borel | Ron Moquett | Bowman Couch Racing | 1:49.24 | $844,500 | I | [26] |
| 2005 | Saint Liam | 5 | Edgar S. Prado | Robert J. Frankel | Mr. & Mrs. William K. Warren Jr. | 1:47.52 | $828,000 | I | [27] |
| 2004 | Colonial Colony | 6 | Rafael Bejarano | Walter M. Bindner Jr. | Lakeside Farms (Chris Nolan) | 1:50.40 | $893,725 | I | [28] |
| 2003 | Perfect Drift | 4 | Pat Day | Murray W. Johnson | Stonecrest Farm | 1:47.55 | $856,500 | I | [29] |
| 2002 | Street Cry (IRE) | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin | 1:50.44 | $833,250 | I | [30] |
| 2001 | Guided Tour | 5 | Larry Melancon | Niall M. O'Callaghan | Morton Fink | 1:47.74 | $831,000 | II | [31] |
| 2000 | Golden Missile | 5 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Joe Orseno | Stronach Stables | 1:49.56 | $810,000 | II | [32] |
| 1999 | Victory Gallop | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | W. Elliott Walden | Prestonwood Farm | 1:47.28 | $827,250 | II | [33] |
| 1998 | Awesome Again | 4 | Pat Day | Patrick B. Byrne | Stronach Stables | 1:48.61 | $799,500 | II | [34] |
| 1997 | City by Night | 4 | Shane Sellers | Patrick B. Byrne | Richard & Nancy Kaster | 1:50.52 | $163,950 | II | [35] |
| 1996 | Tenants Harbor | 4 | Francisco C. Torres | Robert L. Desensi | Michael Sheehan | 1:49.94 | $166,050 | II | [36] |
| 1995 | Recoup the Cash | 5 | Aaron Gryder | Jere R. Smith Sr. | Richard E. Trebat | 1:49.39 | $168,149 | II | [37] |
| 1994 | Recoup the Cash | 4 | Juvenal Lopez Diaz | Jere R. Smith Sr. | Richard E. Trebat | 1:49.46 | $163,500 | III | [38] |
| 1993 | Root Boy | 5 | Tommy Turner | Louis D. Bernier Jr. | Richard F. Blue Jr. | 1:50.80 | $114,000 | III | [39] |
| 1992 | Discover | 4 | Brent E. Bartram | Steven C. Penrod | Claiborne Farm | 1:50.14 | $115,900 | III | [40] |
| 1991 | Black Tie Affair (IRE) | 5 | Juvenal Lopez Diaz | Ernie T. Poulos | Jeffrey Sullivan | 1:49.80 | $109,100 | III | [41] |
| 1990 | No Marker | 6 | Aaron Gryder | Patricia L. Johnson | Billy Ray Gowdy | 1:49.80 | $112,200 | III | [42][1] |
| 1989 | Air Worthy | 4 | Donald Joseph Soto | William G. Huffman | John Carlesimo | 1:49.60 | $112,700 | III | [43][1] |
| 1988 | Honor Medal | 7 | Luis Enrique Ortega | Neil D. Drysdale | Lettuce Farm | 1:50.60 | $129,700 | III | [44][1] |
| 1987 | Red Attack | 5 | Jack Kaenel | D. Wayne Lukas | Pillar Stud, Inc. | 1:51.20 | $103,775 | [45][1] | |
| 1986 | Hopeful Word | 5 | K. Keith Allen | Carl E. Bowman | James Clifton, Robert Doll, Barrett Morris | 1:49.40 | $102,050 | [46][1] | |
| 1985 | Vanlandingham | 4 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Loblolly Stable | 1:48.80 | $79,250 | [47][1] | |
| 1984 | Mythical Ruler | 6 | James McKnight | Fred V. Wirth | Albert Risen | 1:49.60 | $73,550 | [48][1] | |
| 1983 | Vodika Collins | 5 | Leroy Moyers | Forrest Kaelin | Milbert B. Collins | 1:49.20 | $54,750 | [49][1] | |
| 1982 | Vodika Collins | 4 | Thomas Barrow | Forrest Kaelin | Milbert B. Collins | 1:51.80 | $57,900 | [50] | |
See also
- Stephen Foster Handicap "top three finishers" and starters
- List of attractions and events in the Louisville metropolitan area
- List of graded stakes at Churchill Downs
- List of American and Canadian Graded races
References
- ^ Churchill Downs (2019). "$600,000 Stephen Foster Presented by GE Appliances (Grade II)". KentuckyDerby.com. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "Statistics - Stephen Foster Handicap". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ "Graded and Listed Races for 2019 Released". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ "American Graded Stakes Committee Releases 2023 Grades; The Stephen Foster Stakes is the only new grade 1 stakes for 2023.". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
- ^ "Spring Stakes Schedule". churchilldowns.com. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ King, Byron (2 June 2023). "Churchill Downs Suspends Meet; Dates to Shift to Ellis The ongoing meet at Churchill Downs had been scheduled to run through July 3.". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 1 (race 11)". Equibase. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 1 (race 11)". Equibase. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ "Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 1 (race 10)". Equibase. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 2 (race 10)". Equibase. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "2021 Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 2 - (race 11)". Equibase. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ^ "2020 Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ "2019 Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2018 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2017 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2016 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2015 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2014 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2013 Stephen Foster H. Presented by Abu Dhabi Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2012 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2011 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 12)". Equibase. 18 June 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2010 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2009 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2008 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2007 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 16 June 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2006 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 17 June 2006. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2005 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 18 June 2005. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2004 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 June 2004. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2003 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 14 June 2003. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2002 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 15 June 2002. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2001 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 11)". Equibase. 16 June 2001. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "2000 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 17 June 2000. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "1999 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 June 1999. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "1998 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 June 1998. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "1997 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 June 1997. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "1996 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 June 1996. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "1995 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 June 1995. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "1994 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 June 1994. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "1993 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 19 June 1993. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "1992 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 June 1992. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "1991 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 22 June 1991. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ 1990 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 23 June 1990
- ^ 1989 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 24 June 1989
- ^ 1988 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 25 June 1988
- ^ 1987 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 13 June 1987
- ^ 1986 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 14 June 1986
- ^ 1985 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 16 June 1985
- ^ 1984 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 8: held 25 August 1984
- ^ 1983 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 25 June 1983
- ^ Inaugural 1982 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 19 June 1982
Sewers, Richard (20 June 1982). "Barrow's expertise still pays - Wins Foster 'Cap on Vodika Collins". The Courier-Journal. pp. 31, 33. Retrieved 24 June 2020.