Stephen Foster Stakes Explained

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: miles
Surface:Dirt
Track:Left-handed
Qualification:Three-Year-Olds and older
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 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

Margins

Most wins

Most wins by a jockey

Most wins by a trainer

Most wins by an owner

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerTimePurseGradeRef
At Churchill Downs – Stephen Foster Stakes
align=center 2024Kingsbarnsalign=center 4Luis SaezTodd A. PletcherSpendthrift Farmalign=center 1:48.09align=center $1,000,000align=center I [7]
At Ellis Park
align=center 2023West Will Power align=center 6Flavien PratBrad H. CoxGary & Mary Westalign=center 1:47.93align=center $1,000,000align=center I [8]
At Churchill Downs
align=center 2022Olympiadalign=center 4Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. MottGrandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables & LNJ Foxwoods align=center 1:47.66align=center $600,000align=center II[9]
align=center 2021align=center 4Jose L. OrtizBrendan P. Walshalign=center 1:48.53align=center $600,000align=center II[10]
align=center 2020align=center 7Miguel MenaAlbert Stall Jr.G M B Racing align=center 1:47.30align=center $500,000align=center II[11]
align=center 2019Seeking the Soulalign=center 6John R. VelazquezDallas StewartCharles E. Fipkealign=center 1:49.27align=center $600,000align=center II[12]
Stephen Foster Handicap
align=center 2018Pavelalign=center 4Mario GutierrezDoug F. O'NeillReddam Racingalign=center 1:49.21align=center $500,000align=center I[13]
align=center 2017Gun Runneralign=center 4Florent GerouxSteven M. AsmussenWinchell Thoroughbreds & Three Chimneys Farmalign=center 1:47.56align=center $500,000align=center I[14]
align=center 2016Bradesteralign=center 6Joe BravoEddie Kenneally Joseph Suttonalign=center 1:48.85align=center $500,000align=center I[15]
align=center 2015Noble Birdalign=center 4Shaun BridgmohanMark E. CasseJohn C. Oxleyalign=center 1:47.94align=center $500,000align=center I[16]
align=center 2014Moonshine Mullinalign=center 6Calvin H. BorelRandy L. MorseRandy Pattersonalign=center 1:49.66align=center $500,000align=center I[17]
align=center 2013Fort Larnedalign=center 5Ian R. WilkesJanis R. Whitham align=center 1:47.45align=center $500,000align=center I[18]
align=center 2012Ron the Greekalign=center 5Jose LezcanoWilliam I. MottBrous Stable, Wachtel Stable & Jack Hammeralign=center 1:50.51align=center $437,200align=center I[19]
align=center 2011Pool Playalign=center 6Miguel MenaMark E. CasseWilliam S. Farish IValign=center 1:50.52align=center $561,300align=center I[20]
align=center 2010Blamealign=center 4Garrett K. GomezAlbert Stall Jr.Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneideralign=center 1:49.37align=center $671,700align=center I[21]
align=center 2009Macho Againalign=center 4Robby AlbaradoDallas Stewartalign=center 1:49.75align=center $660,000align=center I[22]
align=center 2008Curlinalign=center 4Robby AlbaradoSteven M. AsmussenStonestreet Stables et al.align=center 1:49.68align=center $1,000,000align=center I[23]
align=center 2007Flashy Bullalign=center 4Robby AlbaradoKiaran P. McLaughlinalign=center 1:48.63align=center $829,500align=center I[24]
align=center 2006Seek Goldalign=center 6Calvin H. BorelRon MoquettBowman Couch Racingalign=center 1:49.24align=center $844,500align=center I[25]
align=center 2005Saint Liamalign=center 5Edgar S. PradoRobert J. FrankelMr. & Mrs. William K. Warren Jr. align=center 1:47.52align=center $828,000align=center I[26]
align=center 2004Colonial Colonyalign=center 6Rafael BejaranoWalter M. Bindner Jr.Lakeside Farms (Chris Nolan)align=center 1:50.40align=center $893,725align=center I[27]
align=center 2003Perfect Driftalign=center 4Pat DayMurray W. JohnsonStonecrest Farmalign=center 1:47.55align=center $856,500align=center I[28]
align=center 2002Street Cry (IRE)align=center 4Jerry D. BaileySaeed bin SuroorGodolphinalign=center 1:50.44align=center $833,250align=center I[29]
align=center 2001Guided Touralign=center 5Larry MelanconNiall M. O'CallaghanMorton Finkalign=center 1:47.74align=center $831,000align=center II[30]
align=center 2000Golden Missilealign=center 5Joe OrsenoStronach Stablesalign=center 1:49.56align=center $810,000align=center II[31]
align=center 1999Victory Gallopalign=center 4Jerry D. BaileyW. Elliott WaldenPrestonwood Farmalign=center 1:47.28align=center $827,250align=center II[32]
align=center 1998Awesome Againalign=center 4Pat DayPatrick B. ByrneStronach Stablesalign=center 1:48.61align=center $799,500align=center II[33]
align=center 1997City by Nightalign=center 4Shane SellersPatrick B. ByrneRichard & Nancy Kasteralign=center 1:50.52align=center $163,950align=center II[34]
align=center 1996Tenants Harboralign=center 4Francisco C. TorresRobert L. DesensiMichael Sheehanalign=center 1:49.94align=center $166,050align=center II[35]
align=center 1995Recoup the Cashalign=center 5Aaron GryderJere R. Smith Sr.Richard E. Trebatalign=center 1:49.39align=center $168,149align=center II[36]
align=center 1994Recoup the Cashalign=center 4Juvenal Lopez DiazJere R. Smith Sr.Richard E. Trebatalign=center 1:49.46align=center $163,500align=center III[37]
align=center 1993Root Boyalign=center 5Tommy TurnerLouis D. Bernier Jr.Richard F. Blue Jr.align=center 1:50.80align=center $114,000align=center III[38]
align=center 1992Discoveralign=center 4Brent E. BartramSteven C. PenrodClaiborne Farmalign=center 1:50.14align=center $115,900align=center III[39]
align=center 1991align=center 5Juvenal Lopez DiazErnie T. PoulosJeffrey Sullivanalign=center 1:49.80align=center $109,100align=center III[40]
align=center 1990No Markeralign=center 6Aaron GryderPatricia L. JohnsonBilly Ray Gowdyalign=center 1:49.80align=center $112,200align=center III[41]
align=center 1989Air Worthyalign=center 4Donald Joseph SotoWilliam G. HuffmanJohn Carlesimoalign=center 1:49.60align=center $112,700align=center III[42]
align=center 1988Honor Medalalign=center 7Luis Enrique OrtegaNeil D. DrysdaleLettuce Farmalign=center 1:50.60align=center $129,700align=center III[43]
align=center 1987Red Attackalign=center 5Jack KaenelD. Wayne LukasPillar Stud, Inc.align=center 1:51.20align=center $103,775align=center [44]
align=center 1986Hopeful Wordalign=center 5K. Keith AllenCarl E. BowmanJames Clifton, Robert Doll, Barrett Morrisalign=center 1:49.40align=center $102,050align=center [45]
align=center 1985Vanlandinghamalign=center 4Pat DayLoblolly Stablealign=center 1:48.80align=center $79,250align=center [46]
align=center 1984Mythical Ruleralign=center 6James McKnightFred V. WirthAlbert Risenalign=center 1:49.60align=center $73,550align=center [47]
align=center 1983Vodika Collinsalign=center 5Leroy MoyersForrest KaelinMilbert B. Collinsalign=center 1:49.20align=center $54,750align=center [48]
align=center 1982Vodika Collinsalign=center 4Thomas BarrowForrest KaelinMilbert B. Collinsalign=center 1:51.80align=center $57,900align=center [49]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: $600,000 Stephen Foster Presented by GE Appliances (Grade II) . Churchill Downs. 2019. KentuckyDerby.com. 24 June 2020.
  2. Web site: Statistics - Stephen Foster Handicap. www.equibase.com. 19 June 2016.
  3. Web site: Graded and Listed Races for 2019 Released . BloodHorse.com . 1 December 2018 . en.
  4. Web site: American Graded Stakes Committee Releases 2023 Grades; The Stephen Foster Stakes is the only new grade 1 stakes for 2023. . 16 December 2022 . 28 December 2022 . Bloodhorse.com . Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
  5. Web site: Spring Stakes Schedule. churchilldowns.com. 19 June 2016.
  6. Web site: King . Byron . 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 . 12 June 2023 . 2 June 2023.
  7. Web site: Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 1 (race 11) . Equibase . 29 June 2024 . 30 June 2024.
  8. Web site: Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 1 (race 10) . Equibase . 1 July 2023 . 2 July 2023.
  9. Web site: Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 2 (race 10) . Equibase . 2 July 2022 . 4 July 2022.
  10. Web site: 2021 Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 2 - (race 11) . Equibase . 26 June 2021 . 26 June 2021.
  11. Web site: 2020 Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 27 June 2020 . 29 June 2020.
  12. Web site: 2019 Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 15 June 2019 . 24 June 2020.
  13. Web site: 2018 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8) . Equibase . 16 June 2018 . 24 June 2020.
  14. Web site: 2017 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8) . Equibase . 17 June 2017 . 24 June 2020.
  15. Web site: 2016 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8) . Equibase . 18 June 2016 . 24 June 2020.
  16. Web site: 2015 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8) . Equibase . 13 June 2015 . 24 June 2020.
  17. Web site: 2014 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8) . Equibase . 14 June 2014 . 24 June 2020.
  18. Web site: 2013 Stephen Foster H. Presented by Abu Dhabi Grade 1 - (race 8) . Equibase . 15 June 2013 . 24 June 2020.
  19. Web site: 2012 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8) . Equibase . 16 June 2012 . 24 June 2020.
  20. Web site: 2011 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 12) . Equibase . 18 June 2011 . 24 June 2020.
  21. Web site: 2010 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10) . Equibase . 12 June 2010 . 24 June 2020.
  22. Web site: 2009 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10) . Equibase . 13 June 2009 . 24 June 2020.
  23. Web site: 2008 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10) . Equibase . 14 June 2008 . 24 June 2020.
  24. Web site: 2007 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10) . Equibase . 16 June 2007 . 24 June 2020.
  25. Web site: 2006 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10) . Equibase . 17 June 2006 . 24 June 2020.
  26. Web site: 2005 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10) . Equibase . 18 June 2005 . 24 June 2020.
  27. Web site: 2004 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9) . Equibase . 12 June 2004 . 24 June 2020.
  28. Web site: 2003 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10) . Equibase . 14 June 2003 . 24 June 2020.
  29. Web site: 2002 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10) . Equibase . 15 June 2002 . 24 June 2020.
  30. Web site: 2001 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 11) . Equibase . 16 June 2001 . 24 June 2020.
  31. Web site: 2000 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 17 June 2000 . 24 June 2020.
  32. Web site: 1999 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 12 June 1999 . 24 June 2020.
  33. Web site: 1998 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 13 June 1998 . 24 June 2020.
  34. Web site: 1997 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 14 June 1997 . 24 June 2020.
  35. Web site: 1996 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 15 June 1996 . 24 June 2020.
  36. Web site: 1995 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 17 June 1995 . 24 June 2020.
  37. Web site: 1994 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 18 June 1994 . 24 June 2020.
  38. Web site: 1993 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10) . Equibase . 19 June 1993 . 24 June 2020.
  39. Web site: 1992 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 20 June 1992 . 24 June 2020.
  40. Web site: 1991 Stephen Foster Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 22 June 1991 . 24 June 2020.
  41. 1990 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 23 June 1990
  42. 1989 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 24 June 1989
  43. 1988 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 25 June 1988
  44. 1987 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 13 June 1987
  45. 1986 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 14 June 1986
  46. 1985 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 16 June 1985
  47. 1984 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 8: held 25 August 1984
  48. 1983 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 25 June 1983
  49. Inaugural 1982 Stephen Foster Handicap - Race 9: held 19 June 1982
    News: Barrow's expertise still pays - Wins Foster 'Cap on Vodika Collins . . 20 June 1982 . 24 June 2020 . 31, 33 . Sewers . Richard.

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