Live 2026 Stephen Foster Stakes: Odds, Updates, Post Times, and Expert Picks
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White Abarrio sweeps past Sovereignty in the Oaklawn H. (G2) (Photo by Coady Media)
It is Stephen Foster Day under the Twin Spires, and a massive, stakes-heavy card at Churchill Downs is headlined by a spectacular heavyweight clash in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1). All eyes are on the tactical battlefield as reigning Horse of the Year #3 Sovereignty looks to avenge his recent defeat against veteran multi-millionaire #2 White Abarrio in a high-stakes division identifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Bookmark this page today for live updates, real-time track variants, late scratches, changing odds, and expert betting analysis for the entire Stephen Foster card.
INDEX
LIVE: 2026 Stephen Foster (G1) Odds, Entries, and Contender Analysis
The older dirt division takes center stage today at Churchill Downs for the Stephen Foster Stakes, a premier "Win and You’re In" challenge division identifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Evaluating the field through reveals a heavy-hitting tactical battle. Lock in your past performances and scan the official morning lines below to find your best bet for today's dynamic five-horse field.
Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 picks & betting info
Maximize your wagering value on today’s blockbuster card with exclusive handicapping insights from our expert handicappers. Check out these best bets below.
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
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Once your ticket is built, bet with confidence on the Stephen Foster card at TwinSpires.com, the official wagering partner of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.
Stephen Foster Stakes 2026 entries
The older dirt division takes center stage under the Twin Spires this weekend for a star-studded renewal of a midsummer classic.
With the field scratched down to an elite, five-horse cast, sorting through the top contenders requires balancing raw class against current form. Expect a fascinating battle over 1 1/8 miles on the Churchill Downs main track, where identifying the winning ticket demands a deep dive.
Below is the essential handicapping primer on the definitive field 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 summer’s premier dirt route is named in honor of Stephen Foster, celebrated as the "father of American music" and composer of timeless standards like "Oh! Susanna" and "Camptown Races." Most notably, his composition "My Old Kentucky Home" serves as the definitive backdrop to the Kentucky Derby post parade right here under the Twin Spires.
Review the complete stakes schedule below to map out your multi-race sequences for this blockbuster card.
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: Magnitude
Stephen Foster Stakes payouts and winner
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Stephen Foster 2026 Q&A
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Event History & Track Profile
Location: The Stephen Foster Stakes has been held at Churchill Downs since 1982.
Historical Timeline: Historical winners span from the inaugural victor, Vodika Collins in 1882, through the 2025 winner.
2025 Race Recap: The 2025 renewal was won by First Mission, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by jockey Luis Saez.
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