Saturday is the 45th edition of the Stephan Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs. Since the turn of the century, it has been one of the most prestigious races for older dirt horses, and this year is no different.
Late last month, track officials announced that the Stephen Foster purse would be doubled from $1 million to $2 million, and that increase has helped to attract an all-star field that includes four Grade 1 winners.
In addition to the prize money the contest is also a Win and You’re In qualifier for this year’s $7 million-dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Here is a brief look at the field:
1. WILLY D’S [ML 20-1] Jockey: Luis Saez. Trainer: Mike Maker. Comes into the Stephen Foster on a two-race winning streak. He has made 11 starts and finished worse than 3rd only twice while racing at seven different tracks. This grinding gelding would be facing the toughest group in his career Saturday evening at Churchill. He’s had enough success at this distance (two wins and three 2nds in six starts) to hang around for a while if he brings his A game.
2. WHITE ABARRIO [ML 3-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. He has cycled back to near-career-best form at age 7 through two starts this year. He will be tough to handle in the Stephen Foster if he maintains his current level. He started 2026 with a game runner-up finish in the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, where he led into the stretch before tiring slightly. He then shook off the rust completely in the Oaklawn Handicap on April 18th. In that race he stalked leaders SOVEREIGNTY and JOURNALISM and then angled out and finished powerfully to defeat SOVEREIGNTY by two lengths.
3. SOVEREIGNTY [ML 6-5] Jockey: Junior Alvarado. Trainer: Bill Mott. Given the field here, he should have a more favorable setup in this his second start of the year as opposed to his first 2026 effort at Oaklawn losing to WHITE ABARRIO. If the early pace is fast, expect to see him mount a stretch rally similar to his bid in the Kentucky Derby. Rain is expected Saturday at Churchill Downs, and a wet surface will help his win chances as he’s won both his starts on off tracks.
4. BAEZA [ML 6-1] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Bill Mott. He’s been a buzz horse for over a year now, and Saturday at Churchill is a golden opportunity to prove he belongs with the best of his era. He appeared on the national radar during the Triple Crown season with a runner-up finish in the Santa Anita Derby followed up by 3rd-place finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Later in 2025, he continued to show top-level talent by finishing 2nd to SOVEREIGNTY in the Jim Dandy and then powering to a 2 ¼-length score over MAGNITUDE Pennsylvania Derby. He should get a good pace setup Saturday, but he needs get off to a better start and move forward in his second start of the year in order to be a factor here.
5. MAGNITUDE [ML 7-2] Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Trainer: Steve Asmussen. He missed the Triple Crown last year at age 3 and was beaten in his two return starts last summer- the Travers Stakes and the Pennsylvania Derby. Since then, however, he has been perfect, posting a win in the Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs to close out his 3-year-old season, and then starting 2026 with an easy score in the Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park. His second start in 2026 was an impressive victory in the Dubai World Cup. He’ll have company up front early in the Stephen Foster, but this talented colt has also shown the ability to rate just off the pace.
6. FORGED STEEL [SCRATCHED] Jockey: John Velazquez. Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
7. NAVAJO WARRIOR [SCRATCHED] Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione. Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
The Stephan Foster Stakes is slated as race 11 on a card of 12 with a scheduled Post Time of 6:15.
Best of luck however you play it.
