The 2026 Ack Ack Stakes takes place Saturday, September 26 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Grade III race is contested at 1 mile on dirt for 3-year-olds and up and carries a $400,000 purse. The winner earns an automatic berth in the 2026 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.
| Date | Saturday, September 26, 2026 |
| Track | Churchill Downs |
| Race | 9 |
| Distance | 1 mile |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Grade | Grade III |
| Purse | $400,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds and up |
| Breeders' Cup Qualifier | Win and You're In - Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile |
| Post Time | 4:58 PM ET |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Macho Music (FL) | J Loveberry | R G Crichton | 20/1 |
| 2 | Arrowthegreat (KY) | B J Hernandez, Jr. | D Blacker | 15/1 |
| 3 | Owen Almighty (KY) | F Arrieta | B A Lynch | 7/2 |
| 4 | Bishops Bay (KY) | T Gaffalione | B H Cox | 9/5 |
| 5 | Prince of Power (KY) | W A Rodriguez | D Jacobson | 30/1 |
| 6 | Coal Battle (KY) | J P Vargas | L Briley | 8/1 |
| 7 | East Avenue (KY) | C A Torres | B P Walsh | 4/1 |
| 8 | Nu What's New (KY) | L Saez | J P DiVito | 3/1 |
Last Updated on 09/25/2026
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The Ack Ack Stakes is one of the leading late-season dirt mile races at Churchill Downs. The Grade III event is contested over a one-turn mile and offers a $400,000 purse for horses 3 years old and up.
The race carries added importance as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event. The winner receives an automatic berth in the 2026 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, making the Ack Ack one of the most important final preps for horses targeting that championship race.
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The Ack Ack Stakes is named for Ack Ack, the 1971 Horse of the Year and champion older horse and sprinter. The race has developed into one of Churchill Downs' signature fall events for older dirt milers.
Recent winners include Tumbarumba, Three Technique, Zozos, Senor Buscador and Plainsman. The race has regularly produced runners who continued on to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
Tumbarumba won the 2025 Ack Ack Stakes under jockey Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Brian A. Lynch, completing the mile in 1:35.44.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tumbarumba | Tyler Gaffalione | 1:35.44 |
| 2024 | Three Technique | Rafael Bejarano | 1:35.32 |
| 2023 | Zozos | Florent Geroux | 1:35.32 |
| 2022 | Senor Buscador | Francisco Arrieta | 1:34.60 |
| 2021 | Plainsman | Joel Rosario | 1:33.85 |
The 2026 Ack Ack Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Ack Ack Stakes is contested at 1 mile on dirt.
The 2026 Ack Ack Stakes carries a $400,000 purse.
The Ack Ack Stakes is open to Thoroughbreds 3 years old and up.
Final entries for the 2026 Ack Ack Stakes have not yet been confirmed. The field, post positions, jockeys and official odds will be updated once Churchill Downs publishes the final race card.
The favorite for the 2026 Ack Ack Stakes can be identified in the latest odds table above.
The latest 2026 Ack Ack Stakes odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
The Ack Ack Stakes is a Grade III dirt race for horses 3 years old and up held at Churchill Downs. The race is contested at 1 mile and carries a $400,000 purse in 2026.
The Ack Ack Stakes is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Yes. The 2026 Ack Ack Stakes is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, and the winner receives an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
You can bet the Ack Ack Stakes online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, select Churchill Downs, choose the Ack Ack Stakes and place your wager. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Tumbarumba won the 2025 Ack Ack Stakes under jockey Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Brian A. Lynch, completing the mile in 1:35.44.
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View the latest odds and wager on the Grade III Win and You're In race from Churchill Downs.
