A race expected to draw the top older dirt horses in North America will have a purse to match.
Churchill Downs announced May 20 that the purse for the June 27 Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) has been doubled from $1 million to $2 million. Billed as the "Summer Showdown," the 45th running of the 1 1/8-mile dirt race for 4-year-olds and up will be broadcast on NBCSN and Peacock from 4:30-6:30 p.m. ET
The connections of those associated with five elite dirt horses have already expressed interest in running in this year's race: reigning Horse of the Year and 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Sovereignty and 2025 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Baeza from the barn of trainer Bill Mott; Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Magnitude for trainer Steve Asmussen; and recent Oaklawn Handicap (G2) winner White Abarrio and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) winner Skippylongstocking for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
"Stephen Foster Day has grown tremendously over the last several years, attracting some of the world's best horses, and this purse boost helps solidify our closing weekend as a must-see premier racing event," Churchill Downs president Mike Anderson said. "Firmly positioned in late June with lucrative prize money on the line, the Stephen Foster is an ideal summertime race for the best Thoroughbreds to compete at historic Churchill Downs. We truly believe horsemen and women, as well as horse racing fans around the world, will enthusiastically respond to this Summer Showdown."
All-sources wagering for last year's Stephen Foster day was an event record $20.7 million, up $1.9 million or 10% from the 2024 Stephen Foster card that handled $18.8 million.
In addition to the two-hour broadcast on NBCSN and Peacock, FanDuel TV will televise the entire Stephen Foster day program, which features seven stakes events on a 12-race card that begins at 12:45 p.m. Besides the Stephen Foster, three of those stakes are graded, including the $500,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles.
Nominations for the Stephen Foster close June 10. Owners will pay $20,000 to enter and $20,000 to start, which equates to 2% of the total purse. First prize is 53% of the purse—estimated at more than $1 million—after 1.5% is paid to each of the sixth- through last-place finishers. Second place will receive 22.5%, third at 12.5%, fourth at 7%, and fifth at 5%.
The $2 million purse includes $100,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
Both the Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis are Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In races, which guarantees the winners paid automatic berths into the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), respectively, Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
Four horses have used victories in the Stephen Foster as part of their résumés in Horse of the Year campaigns: Black Tie Affair (1991), Saint Liam (2005), Curlin (2008), and Gun Runner (2017). In addition, two Foster runner-ups were crowned Horse of the Year: Mineshaft (2003) and Wise Dan (2012).
Last year's Foster was one of the best races of 2025 when Mindframe , winner of the 2025 Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) on the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard, defeated Breeders' Cup Classic winner and champion 3-year-old male Sierra Leone by a length. 2025 Oaklawn Handicap winner First Mission was third, 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan was fourth, and 2025 Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show was fifth.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
