LIVE Stephen Foster 2026 odds, picks, entries, betting and post times
Churchill Downs Scenic. (TwinSpires / Jessica Piatt)
It's Stephen Foster Day and Churchill Downs is buzzing with stakes races, including the Stephen Foster featuring a head to head with Sovereignty and White Abarrio. Join us for a jam packed day of horse racing at Churchill Downs for the Stephen Foster Stakes 2026!
We'll be bringing you live updates throughout the day with Stephen Foster 2026 odds, picks, entries, post times, and essential Stephen Foster betting info. Place those best bets today!
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Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 odds
Who is running in the Stephen Foster Stakes?
Let's take a closer look at the Stephen Foster Stakes contenders by evaluating the Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 odds and entries. Who is your best bet for the Stephen Foster? Will it be Derby winner Sovereignty, or maybe multiple Grade 1 winner, White Abarrio, or possibly one of the other talented contenders. Place those bets now!
Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 picks & betting info
To help you navigate this legendary summer showdown, we have gathered exclusive Stephen Foster betting tips from experts. If you are wondering who are the top picks for the stephen foster stakes 2026, the field features an absolute clash of titans—including reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty (6-5), Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio (3-1), and Dubai World Cup champion Magnitude (7-2). Check out a breakdown of picks and prepare to place those best bets.
Expert Pick of the Week
An exacta with #3 Sovereignty on top of #4 Baeza and #5 Magnitude in the 2026 Stephen Foster Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.
RELATED: Expert Pick of the Week: 2026 Stephen Foster Stakes
Stephen Foster Stakes betting calculator
How to calculate payouts in horse racing?
Still wondering if those Stephen Foster Stakes picks are your best bets? Calculate those bets using our Stephen Foster Stakes betting calculator. Bet with confidence here with TwinSpires!
Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 entries
The older dirt division takes center stage under the Twin Spires this weekend for a star-studded, $2 million renewal of a midsummer classic. Serving as a crucial "Win and You're In" qualifying division for the Breeders' Cup Classic, looking at the official Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 entries reveals a heavyweight line-up teeming with champions, classic winners, and international superstars. With a field scratched down to an elite five-horse cast, sorting through the top Stephen Foster Stakes contenders requires balancing raw class against current form.
For everyone looking at who is running in the Stephen Foster Stakes, the race promises a fascinating tactical battle over 1 1/8 miles of the Churchill Downs main track. To find out who are the top contenders in the Stephen Foster are is is vital to compare all the contenders.
A thorough analysis of Stephen Foster Stakes horses indicates that while the field is compact, the talent density is unmatched. Below is the essential primer on the definitive Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 horses set to line up in the starting gate.
#1 Willy D's
Start(s): 27
Wins: 7
Place: 7
Show: 2
Owner: Paradise Farms
Breeder: Beau Lane
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Luis Saez
Top Speed Rating: (108) when winning a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $874,008
Sire: Lookin At Lucky
Dam: Boston Mine
Color: Bay
Willy D’s has won his last two starts, taking the Kentucky Cup Classic (G3) and Lake Ouachita S. in determined fashion. However, he’s yet to compete in a Grade 1 race, and the Stephen Foster is by far the toughest test of his career.
#2 White Abarrio
Start(s): 26
Wins: 11
Place: 3
Show: 3
Owner: C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber, and La Milagrosa Stable
Breeder: Spendthrift Farm
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Top Speed Rating: (108) when winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $8,445,170
Sire: Race Day
Dam: Catching Diamonds
Color: Gray/roan
White Abarrio is a force to reckon with on his best day. He counts among his signature wins the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and 2025 Pegasus World Cup (G1). He was last seen finishing fast to defeat Sovereignty by two lengths in the April 18 Oaklawn H. (G2), so if White Abarrio brings his A game to the Stephen Foster, he’ll be a formidable win contender.
#3 Sovereignty
Start(s): 10
Wins: 6
Place: 3
Show: 0
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Top Speed Rating: (112) when winning the Travers (G1) at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $6,079,050
Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Crowned
Color: Bay
Sovereignty earned 2025 Horse of the Year honors after winning the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont (G1), Jim Dandy (G2), and Travers (G1) in succession. He kicked off 2026 with a respectable runner-up finish in the Oaklawn H., where he set the pace before weakening late, finishing two lengths behind White Abarrio. Sovereignty normally settles off the lead before rallying in the homestretch, so if he returns to that running style for his second run of 2026, he can bounce back in a big way and turn the tables on White Abarrio.
#4 Baeza
Start(s): 10
Wins: 2
Place: 3
Show: 3
Owner: C R K Stable and Grandview Equine
Breeder: Grandview Equine
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Top Speed Rating: (107) when finishing second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $1,717,200
Sire: McKinzie
Dam: Puca
Color: Bay
Baeza fought hard against Sovereignty last year, finishing third in the Kentucky Derby, third in the Belmont, and second in the Jim Dandy. They’ve gone their separate ways since then, with Baeza most notably defeating Magnitude by 2 1/4 lengths in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). Baeza suffered a poor start in his 2026 debut in the Alysheba (G2), but he nevertheless gained a lot of ground to finish a close third. A better break in the Stephen Foster could put Baeza in the hunt for a top-three finish, even while facing tougher competition.
#5 Magnitude
Start(s): 13
Wins: 7
Place: 2
Show: 1
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Ron Stolich
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Top Speed Rating: (105) when winning the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $8,544,365
Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Rockadelic
Color: Bay
Since finishing third to Sovereignty in the Travers and second to Baeza in the Pennsylvania Derby, Magnitude has elevated his game to a new level. He ended 2025 by defeating older horses in the Clark (G2), and he’s gone 2-for-2 in 2026, taking the Razorback H. (G3) before conquering international superstar Forever Young in the Dubai World Cup (G1). Magnitude is on a roll and has a shot to upset Sovereignty and White Abarrio in the Stephen Foster.
Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 post time
When is the Stephen Foster Stakes 2026?
The Stephen Foster Stakes is set to take place at 6:03 PM at Churchill Downs. 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). Check out the days stakes race schedule below!
Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 race schedule
*All times are in Eastern Standard Time
| Race | Stakes | Time |
| 7 | Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) | 3:52 PM |
| 8 | American Derby | 4:25 PM |
| 9 | Bango Stakes (G3) | 4:58 PM |
| 10 | Wise Dan Stakes (G2) | 5:31 PM |
| 11 | Stephen Foster (G2) | 6:03 PM |
Stephen Foster Stakes results
Who won the Stephen Foster Stakes 2026?
Stephen Foster Stakes Results: TBD
Stephen Foster Stakes payouts and winner: TBD
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Stephen Foster 2026 Q&A
Best online betting sites for horse racing
How to bet on the Stephen Foster from home?
With the Stephen Foster stakes quickly approaching, you may wonder: where to bet on the Stephen Foster online? Betting on the Preakness from home is quick and easy with TwinSpires. Here are some steps on how to place a bet on a horse in the Stephen Foster today:
- How to place a bet on the Preakness online?
- Step 1: This is the most important step. Check our offers page! We may be running a promotion for a sign-up bonus or offer.
- Step 2: If not interested in an offer, simply click here to find our registration page.
- Step 3: Enter your personal information (we ask for several pieces of information to verify you are over 18 in age and reside in a state where horse racing bets are legal). Gather all information ahead of time to make the process even quicker! You will need to fill in your name and email, your contact information and account information to start depositing and placing those best bets.
- Step 4: Once your account has been created the fun begins. You can navigate to our betting platform (after taking a look any other offers you wish to take advantage of) and begin placing your best bets for Preakness!
What is the best horse racing betting app to use for the Stephen Foster?
Did you know that TwinSpires has an app? Through the app, you can take your betting, handicapping, and live stream viewing everywhere. It is filled with a variety of fantastic features that makes it the best Stephen Foster Stakes betting app and beyond. These features include:
- Betting made easy
- Live streaming of the day's races
- Up-to-the-minute race information, including odds, scratches and more.
- The ability to bet live races in the moment prior to post time
- Live results after each listed race
- Over 150 tracks worldwide to choose from
- An excellent source of FREE expert picks
- Weekly promotional bonus offers
- Most importantly it is reliable, legal, safe and secure
Download the TwinSpires app TODAY below:
Where is the Stephen Foster Stakes held?
The Stephen Foster Stakes is currently held at Churchill Downs and has been held there since 1982.
Which betting sites offer live streaming for horse races like the Stephen Foster Stakes?
Watching the Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 is simple with TwinSpires. Once you create an account and sign in, you simply follow these steps:
- Step 1: Navigate to the Bet Now section where you will find a list of races.
- Step 2: Select the track you wish to view. To watch the Preakness 2026 you will want to select Laurel Park.
- Step 3: You can then easily find the VIDEO button in the top right, on desktop or on your mobile app
- Step 4: Start streaming your chosen race and enjoy a day of horse racing at home!
Stephen Foster 2025 Recap
Who won the 2025 Stephen Fosters Stakes?
The 2025 Stephen Foster Winner was First Mission, ridden by Luis Saez and trained by Brad Cox. They ran an excellent race for Stephen Foster 2025.
Past winners of the Stephen Foster Stakes
There have been many impressive winners of the Stephen Foster Stakes throughout the years. Here are all the victors to enter the Stephen Foster Stakes winners circle stating at 1882 with Vodika Collins to 2025 with First Mission. Who will add their name to the list at the end of Stephen Foster 2026?
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