Churchill Downs Increases Purses of 16 Spring Stakes

The Turf Classic Stakes (G1T), which annually precedes the Kentucky Derby (G1) 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 for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles May 2 and the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) 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 May 30; Stephen Foster Day featuring seven stakes tallying $3.1 million June 27; and four closing day stakes worth $1 million 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 Turf Classic, other Derby Day stakes races that received substantial purse increases were the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2T), which was increased by $250,000 from $750,000 to $1 million, and the Pat Day Mile (G2) which rose $150,000 from $600,000 to $750,000. 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 2 races, while the Hanshin and Maxfield went from listed events to grade 3 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 March 17. The first day of training on the main dirt track will be March 18. 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 Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation approval. 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. Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Purse increased $250,000 from $750,000 in 2025 to $1 million in 2026. Chorleywood Purse increased $25,000 from $200,000 in 2025 to $225,000 in 2026. Eight Belles Purse increased $100,000 from $600,000 in 2025 to $700,000 in 2026. Hanshin Upgraded status from listed in 2025 to grade 3 in 2026. Kentucky Juvenile Moved from Thurby in 2025 to Winsday in 2026. Leslie's Lady Upgraded status from black type in 2025 to listed in 2026. Mamzelle 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 3 in 2026. 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. Modesty Purse increased $100,000 from $400,000 in 2025 to $500,000 in 2026. Pat Day Mile Purse increased $150,000 from $600,000 in 2025 to $750,000 in 2026. Shawnee Upgraded status from grade 3 in 2025 to grade 2 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. Turf Classic Purse increased $500,000 from $1 million in 2025 to $1.5 million in 2026. Unbridled Sidney Upgraded status from grade 3 in 2025 to grade 2 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 May 9. Purse decreased $75,000 from $300,000 in 2025 to $225,000 in 2026. 2026 CHURCHILL DOWNS SPRING MEET STAKES SCHEDULE