Stephen Foster Stakes Odds: Full In-Field Analysis

HORSE RACINGNEWS
June 25, 2025

A Premier Day at Churchill Downs

 

Stephen Foster Stakes has emerged as one of the summer’s premier horse racing events in North America, bringing elite talent and thrilling matchups to the historic Churchill Downs. Scheduled for Saturday, June 29, 2025, this year’s event offers not only fierce competition but also significant implications for the Breeders’ Cup and other Grade 1 opportunities later in the season.

As always, the highlight is the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Stakes, a 1 1/8-mile contest for older horses. However, the day also features a strong undercard of graded stakes and listed events, attracting top barns, sharp bettors, and racing fans nationwide. For those tracking horse racing odds or planning to bet on horses, Stephen Foster Day is a goldmine of action and insight.

 

The Track and Turf: What to Expect at Churchill Downs

 

Churchill Downs, world-renowned as the home of the Kentucky Derby, features a dirt surface that often favors tactical speed and stamina. The late June climate in Louisville typically provides dry, fast conditions, but Kentucky’s unpredictable summer weather means last-minute rain could shift the surface. On the turf, which plays slightly firm in warm weather, inside posts and patient rides can prove advantageous.

Recent renovations to the paddock and clubhouse have added a modern polish to the historic track, elevating the race-day experience for fans and bettors alike. These upgrades include expanded betting concourses, increased live video screens, and mobile app integration for seamless wagering for an ultimate Stephen Foster Stakes experience.

 

The Main Event: 2025 Stephen Foster Stakes (G1)

2025 Stephen Foster Stakes Odds.Bet on Horse Racing with the best Belmont Stakes Odds. JOIN NOW and win up to a $1,500 BONUS.The $1,000,000 Grade 1 Stephen Foster is the crown jewel of the card and a  “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Some past winners headline this year’s field.

Bettors should watch the early pace scenario closely—if Mindframe and First Mission go too fast early, closers like Mistik Dan or even Skippylongstocking could pounce late. Conversely, a tactical setup benefits First Mission and Mindframe, both of which are capable of leading the pack.

 

 

Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2): Fillies and Mares Go Long

 

The Grade 2 Fleur de Lis offers a $400,000 purse for older fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on dirt. This year’s top contenders include:

  • Royal Spa (Rodolphe Brisset) has raced at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Laurel Park, Oaklawn Park, and Santa Anita, with wins at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Laurel Park, and Oaklawn Park. Her stakes wins include the 2025 Shawnee Stakes (G3)
  • Save Time (Saffie A. Joseph) has raced for Miller Racing LLC, and was bred in Kentucky, United States by Juddmonte. Save Time has raced at Belmont, Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, and Saratoga with wins at Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park.
  • Thorpedo Anna (Kenneth G. McPeek) has raced at Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, Parx Racing, and Saratoga with wins. Her stakes wins include victories in the 2025 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), 2025 Azeri (G2), 2024 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), 2024 Cotillion (G1), 2024 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), 2024 Acorn Stakes (G1), 2024 Kentucky Oaks (G1), and the 2024 Fantasy (G3).
  • Gin Gin (Brendan P. Walsh) has raced at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Keeneland with wins at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, and Keeneland. Her stakes wins include wins in the 2025 Doubledogdare (G3) and the 2024 Busanda (LS).
  • Taxed (Randy L. Morse) has raced at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Horseshoe Indianapolis, Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, and Pimlico Race Course, with wins at Churchill Downs, Oaklawn Park, and Pimlico Race Course. She has a stakes win at the 2023 Black-Eyed Susan (G2).

 

With pace pressure and local bias in play, this race could set up for a sweeping stretch run, making it a betting opportunity with both win and exotic value.

 

American Derby (Listed): Emerging Turf Stars

 

A 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-olds, the American Derby acts as a potential springboard to Grade 1 opportunities later in the year. Key names include:

  • Reagan’s Wit (Cherie DeVaux) has raced at Ellis Park, Fair Grounds, Keeneland, Pimlico Race Course, Tampa Bay Downs, with wins at Fair Grounds and Pimlico Race Course. He has a stakes win at the 2025 James W. Murphy (LS).
  • Flying Mohawk (D. Whitworth) has raced at Belmont, Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Kentucky Downs, Saratoga, and Turfway Park, with wins at Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds.
  • Tiztastic (Steven M. Amussen) has raced at Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Kentucky Downs, Oaklawn Park, and Saratoga, with wins at Fair Grounds and Kentucky Downs. His stakes wins include victories in the 2025 Louisiana Derby (G2) and the 2024 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile (LS).
  • Siesta Key (Brad H. Cox) has raced at Colonial Downs, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Keeneland with wins at Colonial Downs and Horseshoe Indianapolis. He has a stakes win at the 2024 Kitten’s Joy Stakes (LS).
  • Minaret Station (William Walden) has raced at Ellis Park, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Keeneland with wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Keeneland. He has a stakes win at the 2024 Bourbon (G2).
  • Native Runner (Kenneth G. McPeek) has raced at Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, and Keeneland, with wins at Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds.
  • Soleil Volant (H. Graham Motion) has raced and won at Delaware Park, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course, and Turfway Park.
  • Freedom’s Not Free (Mark Glatt) has raced and won at Del Mar and Santa Anita. His stakes wins include wins in the 2025 Cinema Stakes (LS) and the 2025 Pasadena (LS).
  • Giocoso (J. Keith Desormeaux) has raced at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds, Keeneland, and Turfway Park with wins at Churchill Downs and Ellis Park.
  • Anegada (Michael J. Maker) has raced and won at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, and Kentucky Downs.

 

Turf races at Churchill can favor horses positioned inside. Watch the post draws and rider changes before making final betting decisions.

 

Tepin Stakes: Classy Fillies on the Turf

 

This 1-mile turf event for 3-year-old fillies is named after the legendary grass mare Tepin and typically attracts talented up-and-comers. The likely field includes:

  • Fixing To Bee (George R. Arnold II) has raced and won at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, and Kentucky Downs.
  • Something Stronger (Albert M. Stall, Jr.) was bred in Kentucky, United States by Spry Family Farm. Something Stronger has raced and won at Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds.
  • Love You Anyway (George R. Arnold II) was bred in Kentucky, United States, by Aaron & Marie Jones, LLC. Love You Anyway has raced and won at Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, and Tampa Bay Downs.
  • Princess Attitude (Victoria H. Oliver) has raced and won at Colonial Downs, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, and Pimlico Race Course.
  • Lush Lips (Brendan P. Walsh) has raced and won at Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, Kentucky Downs, Leopardstown-IRE, Tampa Bay Downs, Tipperary-IRE.
  • Vixen (Mark E. Casse) has raced at Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Ellis Park, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, and Woodbine with wins at Ellis Park and Gulfstream Park. Her stakes wins include wins in the 2025 Herecomesthebride (G3) and the 2025 Sweetest Chant (LS).
  • Ninth Island (W. Bret Calhoun) has raced and won at Lone Star Park, Remington Park, and Sam Houston.
  • Favor To You (Phillip D’Amato) was bred in Kentucky, United States, by the University of Kentucky. Favor to You has raced and won at Santa Anita.

 

These mile turf races are often decided by fractions and positioning, with late kicks making or breaking outcomes.

 

Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes: Dirt Sprinters Collide

 

The 7-furlong Kelly’s Landing Stakes provides a platform for older sprinters. Probables include:

  • Dr. Venkman (Mark Glatt) has raced and won at Del Mar, Keeneland, and Santa Anita. He has a stakes win at the 2024 San Diego Handicap (G2).
  • Three Technique (Jason G. Cook) has raced at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Ellis Park, Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, Santa Anita, Saratoga, and Turfway Park with wins at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, and Saratoga. His stakes wins include wins in the 2024 Ack Ack (G3), 2023 John A. Nerud (G2), and the 2022 Knicks Go Overnight (RS).
  • Booth (Steve M. Ammusen) has raced at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, and Pimlico Race Course with wins. His stakes wins include victories in the 2025 Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3), 2025 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3), 2025 Whitmore Stakes (G3), and the Commodore Overnight S.
  • Roll On Big Joe (Robert B. Hess Jr.) has raced at Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, Los Alamitos Day, and Santa Anita with wins at Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, and Santa Anita. He has a stakes win at the 2025 Palos Verdes (G3).
  • Otto The Conqueror (Steven M. Ammusen) has raced at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, Remington Park, and Saratoga with wins at Churchill Downs and Remington Park. He has a stakes win at the 2023 Remington Springboard Mile (LS).
  • Happy is A Choice (John A. Ortiz) has raced at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Keeneland, and Oaklawn Park with wins at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and Oaklawn Park. His stakes wins include wins in the 2024 Ring the Bell (LS) and the 2024 Louisville Thoroughbred Society (LS).
  • Red Flag (Robert B. Hess Jr.) has raced at Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Fair Grounds, Hawthorne Racecourse, Los Alamitos Day, Oaklawn Park, Santa Anita, and Turfway Park with wins at Del Mar, Oaklawn Park, and Santa Anita. He has a stakes win at the 2020 Bob Hope (G3).
  • Durante (David Jacobson) has raced at Belmont at Aqueduct, Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Delaware Park, Keeneland, Laurel Park, Los Alamitos Day, Oaklawn Park, Penn National, Santa Anita, Saratoga with wins at Belmont at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Delaware Park, Los Alamitos Day, Oaklawn Park, Penn National, Saratoga. His stakes wins include wins in the 2025 Aristides (G3) and the 2023 Bold Ruler (G3).

 

Expect tight odds and live longshots in this wide-open heat. Past editions have seen double-digit winners.

 

Stephen Foster Stakes Undercard, Activities, and Fan Experience

 

Beyond the Stephen Foster stakes action, Stephen Foster Day includes a strong supporting card of allowance races, claimers, and starter stakes, each offering complete fields and competitive wagering opportunities. Churchill Downs will also feature on-site events such as:

  • Live music and bourbon tastings
  • Paddock tours and behind-the-scenes access
  • Family-friendly zones with food trucks and kids’ activities
  • Enhanced mobile betting integration via BUSR and other platforms

 

With Churchill Downs heavily promoting its summer meet, attendance is expected to be high. Early wagering, particularly in multi-race sequences such as the Pick 4 and Pick 5, will attract a substantial national handle.

 

Strategic Betting Angles: What to Watch

 

Smart bettors will factor in:

  • Track Bias: Monitor early dirt races for front-runner vs. closer tendencies.
  • Weather: Rain can change turf and dirt footing—check updates up to post time.
  • Trainer Trends: Brad Cox and Steve Asmussen dominate locally. Watch their 2nd-string entries too.
  • Exotic Value: Large, competitive fields in the Fleur de Lis and Kelly’s Landing offer trifecta and superfecta potential, with a 10% Horse Betting Rebate on our racebook.

 

Breeders’ Cup Implications and Summer Momentum

 

The Stephen Foster Stakes serves as a midseason litmus test for top dirt and turf horses aiming for the Breeders’ Cup and fall championships. With purses elevated and fields deep, it’s a must-watch event for serious racing fans and bettors alike.

Whether you’re eyeing the undefeated First Mission, tracking the Distaff champion Idiomatic, or seeking a price play in the Tepin, the racing and wagering opportunities on June 29 are among the summer’s finest. Keep tabs on morning-line odds, track changes, and post-position draws—and may your wagers bring big rewards on Stephen Foster Day 2025.

 

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