Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty among all-star cast in Stephen Foster

Jun 21, 2026 Kevin Kerstein/Kentucky Racing Communications

Sovereignty winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, June 20, 2026) – The world’s top dirt horses are set to converge beneath the historic Twin Spires next Saturday when reigning Horse of the Year and Kentucky Derby (Grade I) winner Sovereignty, Dubai World Cup (GI) winner Magnitude, Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) and Pegasus World Cup (GI) winner White Abarrio and Grade I winner Baeza headline the 45th running of the $2 million Stephen Foster (GI) at Churchill Downs.

The 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster, which received a $1 million purse increase this year, will anchor a blockbuster 12-race program on the penultimate day of the Louisville track’s Spring Meet with seven stakes events cumulatively worth $4.1 million. First post is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) with the Stephen Foster scheduled as Race 11 at 6:14 p.m.

Along with the Stephen Foster, the afternoon’s stakes lineup includes the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII); $500,000 Wise Dan (GII); $275,000 Bango (GIII); $275,000 American Derby (Listed); $275,000 Anchorage (Listed); and $275,000 Tepin (Listed).

The Stephen Foster is led by Godolphin’s Sovereignty, who will make his first start beneath the Twin Spires since capturing last year’s Kentucky Derby. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Sovereignty went on to earn Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Male honors following victories in the Belmont Stakes (GI), Jim Dandy Stakes (GII) and Travers Stakes (GI). He began his 4-year-old season with a runner-up finish to White Abarrio in the Oaklawn Handicap (GII). Junior Alvarado has the mount from post No. 3.

Kentucky Derby 151 winner 𝗦𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗧𝗬 takes a stroll down memory lane under the #TwinSpires this morning. pic.twitter.com/qL70fHSHh8

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 23, 2026

Mott also entered C R K Stable and Grandview Equine’s Baeza, winner of last year’s Pennsylvania Derby (GI) who also was third in the 2025 Kentucky Derby for the late John Shirreffs. The 4-year-old son of McKinzie defeated Magnitude by 2 1/4 lengths in the Pennsylvania Derby and made his first start for Mott on Kentucky Oaks Day when he finished a troubled third in the Alysheba Stakes (GII), beaten three-quarters of a length. Jockey Flavien Prat will ride from post 4.

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Magnitude will make his first start since a victory in the Dubai World Cup (GI) in late March. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the son of Not This Time enters the Stephen Foster on a three-race winning streak that also includes victories in the Razorback Handicap (GIII) and Clark Stakes (GII). Jose Ortiz has the call from post 5.

White Abarrio will race at Churchill Downs for the first time since Kentucky Derby 148. The 7-year-old son of Race Day, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa Stable, won the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic and 2025 Pegasus World Cup. He enters the race off a two-length victory over Sovereignty in the Oaklawn Handicap. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides from post 2.

The 7-year-old 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗢 wins the Oaklawn Park Hcp. (G2) under jockey @iradortiz who made a masterful move at the top of the stretch for trainer @SaffieJosephJr #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/cU7wm29Mus

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 18, 2026

Joseph also entered Hollywood Gold Cup (GII) winner Forged Steel and Pimlico Special (GIII) winner Navajo Warrior.

Forged Steel, owned by C2 Racing Stable and Mathis Stable, dominated the Hollywood Gold Cup by 9 1/2 lengths. The 4-year-old son of Vekoma has compiled a record of 18-5-3-3 with earnings of $416,130. John Vealzquez rides from post 6.

Navajo Warrior enters the Foster off a 2 3/4-length victory in the Pimlico Special. Owned by BAG Racing Stable, Miller Racing, Derek Paul, Mathis Stable, Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch, the 5-year-old has won nine of 17 starts and earned $452,609. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount from post 7.

The Stephen Foster field is rounded out by Paradise Farms Corp.’s seven-time winner Willy D’s. Now in his 5-year-old season for trainer Mike Maker, Willy D’s sports victories in the TwinSpires Kentucky Cup Classic (GIII) at Turfway Park and the Lake Ouachita Stakes at Oaklawn. Luis Saez will be in irons and break from the rail.

The complete field for the Stephen Foster from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

• Willy D’s (Luis Saez, Mike Maker)
• White Abarrio (Irad Ortiz Jr., Joseph)
• Sovereignty (Alvarado, Mott)
• Baeza (Prat, Mott)
• Magnitude (Jose Ortiz, Asmussen)
• Forged Steel (John Velazquez, Joseph)
• Navajo Warrior (Gaffalione, Joseph)

The Stephen Foster will be part of a two-hour broadcast on NBCSN and Peacock in conjunction with FanDuel TV from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs on twinspires.com.

Advanced wagering on the Stephen Foster Day card will begin Thursday. The 12-race program includes a trio of special wagers, all with a low 15% takeout: a $1 All-Stakes Turf Pick 4; a $3 All-Stakes Turf Pick 3; and a $5 Double encompassing the Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis and Stephen Foster.

Both the Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis are Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races, which means the winners are guaranteed a spot in the starting gate for the $7 million Longines Classic (GI) and $2 million Longines Distaff (GI), respectively, on Oct. 31 at Keeneland. Also, the connections of both winners will have all Breeders’ Cup pre-entry and entry fees covered and could receive a travel award of up to $10,000.

Four horses have used victories in the Stephen Foster as part of their resumés in Horse of the Year campaigns: Black Tie Affair (1991), Saint Liam (2005), Curlin (2008) and Gun Runner (2017). In addition, two Foster runners-up were crowned Horse of the Year: Mineshaft (2003) and Wise Dan (2012).

For more information and to purchase tickets for Stephen Foster Day, please visit churchilldowns.com.