Stephen Foster Stakes

Breeders' Cup Challenge Series > Stephen Foster Stakes

Stephen Foster Stakes Race Facts

  • Location: Ellis Park, Henderson, KY (Originally held at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY)
  • Inaugural Race: 1982
  • Distance: 1 & 1/8th miles (9 furlongs)
  • Track Type: Left-handed, Dirt
  • Age Qualifications: Three Year Olds and up
  • 2023 Purse: $1,000,000
  • 2023 Race Date: Saturday, July 1st

2023 Stephen Foster Stakes Race Results

POST
HORSE
JOCKEY / TRAINER
WIN / PLACE / SHOW
6
West Will Power
Flavien Prat / Brad H. Cox
$6.14 / $3.96 / $3.16
4
Rattle N Roll
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. / Kenneth G. McPeek
$6.74 / $5.22
8
Happy American
James Graham / Neil L. Pessin
$12.22
7
Last Samurai
Cristian A. Torres / D. Wayne Lukas
5
Smile Happy
Corey J. Lanerie / Kenneth G. McPeek
2
Stilleto Boy
Kent J. Desormeaux / Ed Moger, Jr.
3
Speed Bias
Luis Saez / Ron Moquett
1
Proxy
Joel Rosario / Michael Stidham

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $2.00 Exacta (6-4) Paid: $40.00
  • $0.50 Trifecta (6-4-8) Paid: $188.04
  • $0.10 Superfecta (6-4-8-7) Paid: $264.02

Watch the 2023 Stephen Foster Stakes

Stephen Foster Stakes Race History

The Stephen Foster Stakes is a Grade I Thoroughbred race run annually since 1982 at the famed Churchill Downs in Kentucky (the 2023 edition was moved to Ellis Park in Henderson, KY). The race is named in honor of Stephen Foster, known as the "father of American music" and composer of such standards as "Oh! Susanna", "Camptown Races", and "My Old Kentucky Home" (which is played while the Kentucky Derby field parades the track).

Black Tie Affair (1991), Saint Liam (2005), Curlin (2008), and Gun Runner (2017) all added wins at the race during their respective Horse of the Year campaigns. As part of the Breeder's Cup Challenge, since 2015 winners of the race gain automatic entry into the Breeder's Cup Classic.

Stephen Foster Stakes Past Winners

Year
Winner
Jockey / Trainer
Distance / Time
2023
West Will Power
Flavien Prat / Brad H. Cox
1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.93
2022
Olympiad
Junior Alvarado / William I. Mott
1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.66
2021
Maxfield
Jose L. Ortiz / Brendan P. Walsh
1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.53
2020
Tom's d'Etat
Miguel Mena / Albert Stall Jr.
1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.30
2019
Seeking the Soul
John Velasquez / Dallas Stewart
1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.27
2018
Pavel
Mario Gutierrez / Doug F. O'Neill
1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.21
2017
Gun Runner
Florent Geroux / Steven M. Asmussen
1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.56
2016
Bradester
Joe Bravo / Eddie Kenneally
1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.85
2015
Noble Bird
Shaun Bridgmohan / Mark E. Casse
1 1⁄8 M / 1:47.94
2014
Moonshine Mullin
Calvin H. Borel / Randy L. Morse
1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.66