Stephen Foster Stakes
| Grade I race | |
| Location | Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1982 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Churchill Downs |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1⅛ miles (9 furlongs) |
| Track | Dirt, left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-Year-Olds and Up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | $750,000 |
The Stephen Foster Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run in mid June at the end of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Stephen Foster Handicap is run on the dirt at a distance of one and one-eighth miles. It has progressed from Grade III status in 1988 to Grade II in 1995 and is presently a Grade I event open to horses three years old and up. The race had been restricted to horses four years of age an older in 1983 and from 1985 through 1987.
Currently offering a purse of $750,000, the race draws some of the top older horses from various parts of the United States.
The race is named for the famous American songwriter Stephen Foster who wrote My Old Kentucky Home, the state song of Kentucky.
Race records
Jockeys Aaron Gryder, Pat Day, and Jerry Bailey have each won the race on two occasions.
Vodika Collins was the first horse to win the race twice, taking it back-to-back in its first two runnings. In 1994 /95 Recoup the Cash became the second two-time winner.
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]
Winners of the Stephen Foster Handicap since 1998
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
| 2007 | Flashy Bull | Robby Albarado | Kiaran McLaughlin | West Point Thoroughbreds | 1:48.63 |
| 2006 | Seek Gold | Calvin Borel | Ronald Moquett | Bowman Couch Racing | 1:49.24 |
| 2005 | Saint Liam | Edgar Prado | Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. | Mr & Mrs William K. Warren | 1:47.52 |
| 2004 | Colonial Colony | Rafael Bejarano | Dallas Stewart | Lakeside Farm | 1:50.40 |
| 2003 | Perfect Drift | Pat Day | Murray Johnson | Stonecrest Farm | 1:47.55 |
| 2002 | Street Cry | Jerry Bailey | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 1:47.84 |
| 2001 | Guided Tour | Larry Melancon | Niall O'Callaghan | Morton Fink | 1:47.74 |
| 2000 | Golden Missile | Kent Desormeaux | Joe Orseno | Stronach Stables | 1:49.56 |
| 1999 | Victory Gallop | Jerry Bailey | Elliott Walden | Prestonwood Farm | 1:47.28 |
| 1998 | Awesome Again | Pat Day | Patrick B. Byrne | Stronach Stables | 1:48.60 |
Earlier winners
- 1997 - City By Night
- 1996 - Tenants Harbor
- 1995 - Recoup the Cash
- 1994 - Recoup the Cash
- 1993 - Root Boy
- 1992 - Discover
- 1991- Black Tie Affair
- 1990 - No Marker
- 1989 - Air Worthy
- 1988 - Honor Madal
- 1987 - Red Attack
- 1986 - Hopeful Word
- 1985 - Vanlandingham
- 1984 - Mythical Ruler
- 1983 - Vodika Collins
- 1982 - Vodika Collins