Stepping Stone Purse

Stepping Stone Purse

Discontinued horse race
Location	Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated	1958
Race type	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Race information
Distance	7 furlongs (1958–1976) 8 furlongs (1977–1981)
Surface	Dirt
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	Three years old
Weight	Assigned

The Stepping Stone Purse was an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in the latter part of April at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Open to three-year-old horses, it was, along with the Derby Trial Stakes, one of two final prep races hosted by Churchill Downs running up to the Kentucky Derby.

In 1959, Sword Dancer won the Stepping Stone Purse,^[1] then ran second in the Kentucky Derby before winning the Belmont Stakes. The following year, Bally Ache won this race^[2] then ran second in the Derby but won the Preakness Stakes. In 1969, future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Majestic Prince won this race by six lengths while setting a new stakes record and then won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. In 1974, Cannonade too won the Stepping Stone Purse and the Kentucky Derby^[3][4] and 1965 winner Tom Rolfe went on to finish third in the Derby but then won the Preakness Stakes.^[5]

Records

Speed record:

• 1:21.60 - Majestic Prince (1969) (at 7 furlongs)
• 1:37.40 - Nostalgia (1977) (at 8 furlongs)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 2 - Bill Shoemaker (1959, 1966)
• 2 - Ismael Valenzuela (1962, 1964)
• 2 - Manuel Ycaza (1963, 1968)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 2 - Woody Stephens (1963, 1974)

Most wins by an owner:

• 2 - Cain Hoy Stable (1963, 1968)

Winners

References