Churchill Downs News Release: Record $27.8 Million in Stakes Set for Churchill Downs' 44-Day Spring Meet

Mar 16, 2026

The Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic, which annually precedes the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, is now worth $1.5 million. The $500,000 boost to the 1 1/8-mile grass race for older horses is one of 16 stakes races that received a purse hike for the 152nd Spring Meet at Churchill Downs.

All told, 50 stakes races cumulatively worth a record $27.8 million are scheduled to be run during the Spring Meet, which covers 44 race dates between April 25-June 28.

The highlights are the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) for 3-year-olds at 1 ¼ miles on Saturday, May 2 and the $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles held one day prior. Both races will be broadcast on NBC with the Oaks running under the lights in primetime for the first time.

During Kentucky Derby Week (April 25-May 2), there will be 22 stakes races cumulatively worth a record $19.1 million, including nine stakes totaling $12.05 million on Derby Day and seven totaling $5.55 million on Oaks Day.

Other Spring Meet highlights include Stephen Foster Preview Day with seven stakes totaling $1.975 million on Saturday, May 30; Stephen Foster Day featuring seven stakes tallying $3.1 million on Saturday, June 27; and four closing day stakes worth $1 million on Sunday, June 28.

One of the Foster Day stakes has been renamed to honor the horse who won more races than any other in documented history at Churchill Downs. The Kelly’s Landing is now known as the Bango, who won 12 of his 28 career starts beneath the historic Twin Spires between 2019-25.

In addition to the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic, other Derby Day stakes races that received substantial purse increases were the Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, which was increased by $250,000 from $750,000 to $1 million, and Pat Day Mile presented by SAP, which rose $150,000 from $600,000 to $750,000.

The Anchorage, Eight Belles presented by Sysco, Matt Winn, Modesty presented by Veritas Prime and Unbridled Sidney were boosted by $100,000, while the Mamzelle presented by Kentucky Proud received a $75,000 jump when it was repositioned to Thurby on Derby Week.

The American Derby, Bango (formerly the Kelly’s Landing), Blame, Chorleywood, Old Forester Mint Julep, Shawnee and Tepin each received a $25,000 raise.

Six stakes races were upgraded in status by the American Graded Stakes Committee last December. The Shawnee and Unbridled Sidney are now distinguished as Grade II races, while the Hanshin presented by JRA and Maxfield went from Listed events to Grade III status. The Anchorage and Leslie’s Lady were elevated from Black-Type to Listed races.

Following its annual closure for wintertime renovations, the Churchill Downs stable area will reopen on Tuesday, March 17. The first day of training on the main dirt track will be Wednesday, March 18.

Here are the race-by-race changes to the 2026 Spring Meet stakes schedule compared to 2025:

American Derby

Purse increased $25,000 from $250,000 in 2025 to $275,000 in 2026.
Anchorage

Upgraded status from Black-Type overnight stakes in 2025 to a Listed stakes in 2026.
Purse increased $100,000 from $175,000 in 2025 to $275,000 in 2026.
Moved from Closing Day in 2025 to Stephen Foster Day in 2026.
Bango

Formerly known as the Kelly’s Landing; renamed to honor Churchill Downs’ all-time winningest horse Bango.
Purse increased $25,000 from $250,000 in 2025 to $275,000 in 2026.
Blame

Purse increased $25,000 from $275,000 in 2025 to $300,000 in 2026.
Chorleywood

Purse increased $25,000 from $200,000 in 2025 to $225,000 in 2026.
Eight Belles presented by Sysco

Purse increased $100,000 from $600,000 in 2025 to $700,000 in 2026.
Hanshin presented by JRA

Upgraded status from Listed in 2025 to Grade III in 2026.
Kentucky Juvenile presented by Resolute Racing

Moved from Thurby in 2025 to Winsday in 2026.
Leslie’s Lady

Upgraded status from Black-Type in 2025 to Listed in 2026.
Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile

Purse increased $250,000 from $750,000 in 2025 to $1 million in 2026.
Mamzelle presented by Kentucky Proud

Moved from one week after the Kentucky Derby to Thurby on Thursday, April 30.
Purse increased $75,000 from $225,000 in 2025 to $300,000 in 2026.
Matt Winn

Purse increased $100,000 from $400,000 in 2025 to $500,000 in 2026.
Maxfield

Upgraded status from Listed in 2025 to Grade III in 2026.
Modesty presented by Veritas Prime

Purse increased $100,000 from $400,000 in 2025 to $500,000 in 2026.
Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic

Purse increased $500,000 from $1 million in 2025 to $1.5 million in 2026.
Old Forester Mint Julep

Purse increased $25,000 from $250,000 in 2025 to $275,000 in 2026.
Moved from the Sunday after Stephen Foster Preview Day in 2025 to Stephen Foster Preview Day in 2026.
Pat Day Mile presented by SAP

Purse increased $150,000 from $600,000 in 2025 to $750,000 in 2026.
Shawnee

Upgraded status from Grade III in 2025 to Grade II in 2026.
Purse increased $25,000 from $275,000 in 2025 to $300,000 in 2026.
Tepin

Purse increased $25,000 from $250,000 in 2025 to $275,000 in 2026.
Unbridled Sidney

Upgraded status from Grade III in 2025 to Grade II in 2026.
Purse increased $100,000 from $400,000 in 2025 to $500,000 in 2026.
William Walker

Moved from Wednesday of Derby Week to one week after the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 9.
Purse decreased $75,000 from $300,000 in 2025 to $225,000 in 2026.
Every stakes race, excluding the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, includes Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund prize money.

All Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund purse allotments are subject to KHRGC approval.