What is the Blame Stakes?
The Blame Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for horses aged four and older, it is the premier prep race for the Grade I Stephen Foster Stakes and a key early-summer test for older dirt horses targeting the Breeders' Cup Classic trail. The race was inaugurated in 2020 and named in honor of Blame, the brilliant 2010 U.S. Champion Older Male Horse who defeated the unbeaten Zenyatta in a thrilling stretch duel to win the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. Upgraded to Grade III by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association in 2023, the Blame Stakes has quickly become one of the most important dirt stakes on the Churchill Downs Spring Meet calendar, consistently attracting top older horses from across the country.
When is the Blame Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Blame Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at Churchill Downs. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the main track with a purse of $275,000, the race serves as the key local prep for the Grade I Stephen Foster Stakes in June and draws the top older dirt horses targeting the Breeders' Cup Classic trail.
Blame Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Blame Stakes has produced a string of high-quality winners since its inaugural running in 2020. Mystik Dan, the popular 2024 Kentucky Derby runner-up, delivered the most celebrated performance in the race's short history in 2025, posting the stakes record of 1:48.45 under Brian Hernandez Jr. for trainer Kenneth McPeek. Godolphin's Highland Falls gave trainer Brad Cox his second Blame win in 2024 under Florent Geroux in 1:48.51, while Rattle N Roll gave McPeek his first Blame title in 2023 under Hernandez in 1:48.93. Dynamic One gave trainer Todd Pletcher a listed stakes win in 2022 under Tyler Gaffalione in 1:48.54. Trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux won the inaugural 2020 edition together aboard Owendale at 1 mile before the distance was extended to 1⅛ miles in 2021.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mystik Dan | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 1:48.45* |
| 2024 | Highland Falls | Florent Geroux | 1:48.51 |
| 2023 | Rattle N Roll | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 1:48.93 |
| 2022 | Dynamic One | Tyler Gaffalione | 1:48.54 |
| 2021 | Mighty Heart (CAN) | James Graham | 1:50.00 |
* Stakes record.
The Blame Stakes is the premier Stephen Foster prep at Churchill Downs and one of the most important early-summer tests for older dirt horses in North America.
