Saturday, June 28 marks Stephen Foster Day at Churchill Downs, highlighted by the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes, considered one of the deepest and most accomplished fields in the race’s 44-year history. The race features seven high-profile horses with combined earnings exceeding $26 million, including notable contenders like Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone, Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, Churchill Downs winner Mindframe, and Dubai World Cup champion Hit Show, who leads the field with $8.4 million in earnings. The race is set for 6:03 p.m., with gates opening at 11:30 a.m.

The winner of the Stephen Foster automatically qualifies for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 1 at Del Mar, California. Historically, four horses have won both the Stephen Foster and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the same year, underscoring the race’s prestige and significance as a stepping stone to the Classic. Sierra Leone is the morning line favorite at 5-2, adding to the excitement of this highly competitive event.