The 2026 Sycamore Stakes takes place Friday, October 9 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The Grade II race is contested at 1 1/2 miles on turf for horses 3 years old and up and carries a $400,000 purse.
| Date | Friday, October 9, 2026 |
| Track | Keeneland Race Course |
| Race | 9 |
| Distance | 1 1/2 miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Grade | Grade II |
| Purse | $400,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds and up |
| Post Time | 5:16 PM ET |
Entry Update: The 2026 Sycamore Stakes field is confirmed with 12 horses in the main field and four also-eligible runners. Post positions, jockeys, trainers, and official morning-line odds are listed in the odds table below.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goldeneye | Edwin Maldonado | Peter Eurton | 30/1 |
| 2 | Just a Touch | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Brad Cox | 5/2 |
| 3 | Mercante | Joe Ramos | Brian Knippenberg | 20/1 |
| 4 | Navy Seal (IRE) | Jose Ortiz | Wesley Ward | 6/1 |
| 5 | Echo Lane | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Rohan Crichton | 12/1 |
| 6 | English Actor | Junior Alvarado | Rachel Halden | 20/1 |
| 7 | Limited Liability | Luis Saez | Shug McGaughey | 8/1 |
| 8 | Tiz Dashing | Javier Castellano | Barclay Tagg | 9/2 |
| 9 | Layabout | Keith Asmussen | Patrick Biancone | 12/1 |
| 10 | Vote No | Umberto Rispoli | Kelsey Danner | 6/1 |
| 11 | Desvio | Luan Machado | Madison Meyers | 8/1 |
| 12 | Rothschild | Axel Concepcion | Norm Casse | 30/1 |
| 13AE | Lambeth | Jose Ortiz | Joe Sharp | 4/1 |
| 14AE | Sumood | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan Walsh | 20/1 |
| 15AE | Carcano | John Velazquez | Vicki Oliver | 9/2 |
| 16AE | Ur Benja | James Graham | Jose Aranha | 50/1 |
Last Updated on 10/07/2026
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The Sycamore Stakes is one of Keeneland's leading fall turf marathons. The Grade II event brings together older horses over 1 1/2 miles and carries a $400,000 purse.
Just a Touch is the 5/2 morning-line favorite after winning two turf stakes and three of four grass starts this year. Tiz Dashing is listed at 9/2, while Navy Seal and Vote No are both 6/1. Defending champion Desvio also returns after winning the 2025 Sycamore.
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The Sycamore Stakes is named for the sycamore tree located at the entrance to Keeneland's walking ring. The race has primarily been contested at 1 1/2 miles and was upgraded from Grade III to Grade II status beginning in 2025.
Recent winners include Desvio in 2025, Highway Robber in 2024, Bold Act in 2023, Highland Chief in 2022 and Spooky Channel in 2021.
Desvio won the 2025 Sycamore under jockey John Velazquez for trainer Madison Meyers, completing the 1 1/2 miles in 2:29.16.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Desvio | John Velazquez | 2:29.16 |
| 2024 | Highway Robber | Tyler Gaffalione | 2:26.08 |
| 2023 | Bold Act (IRE) | Jamie Spencer | 2:28.08 |
| 2022 | Highland Chief (IRE) | John Velazquez | 2:28.87 |
| 2021 | Spooky Channel | Julien Leparoux | 2:29.71 |
The 2026 Sycamore Stakes is scheduled for Friday, October 9 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Sycamore Stakes is Race 9 at Keeneland with a scheduled post time of 5:16 PM ET.
The Sycamore Stakes is contested at 1 1/2 miles on turf.
The Sycamore Stakes is a Grade II race. It was upgraded from Grade III beginning in 2025.
The 2026 Sycamore Stakes carries a $400,000 purse.
The Sycamore Stakes is open to Thoroughbreds 3 years old and up.
The favorite for the 2026 Sycamore Stakes can be identified in the latest odds table above.
The latest 2026 Sycamore Stakes odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
No. The Sycamore Stakes is not a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In race.
No. The Sycamore Stakes is for horses 3 years old and up and is not part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Desvio won the 2025 Sycamore Stakes under jockey John Velazquez for trainer Madison Meyers in 2:29.16.
You can bet the Sycamore Stakes online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, select Keeneland, choose the Sycamore Stakes, and place your wager. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
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