Churchill Downs Picks: Grade 1 Stephen Foster (6/27/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sat Jun 27, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 8 minutes
horses
The racing action from Churchill Downs on Saturday features the Stephen Foster Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Churchill Downs picks for the entire card!
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Churchill Downs Full Card Analysis
Churchill Downs Picks: Grade 1 Stephen Foster (6/27/2026)
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:45 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 16 runners.
- #2 BET ON SILVER (20-1): Prime Win Player. Should improve off the debut. Looks good based on the 68 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
- #11 POWERLINE (8-5): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
- #3 SALAHUDIN (6-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
- #9 CARIBBEAN WARRIOR (12-1): Contender. Bloodlines fit this race. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 2 – 11 – 3 – 9
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-1
Exacta: 2 / 11,3,9
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:17 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #5 DIRECT STRIKE (7-5): Prime Win Player. Favorable class relief in this spot. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #4 PRESIDE (7-2): Fringe Contender. Stamina to be in the mix late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #9 MONEY MAN (20-1): Underneath. Pedigree fits in this spot. Potentially ready to hit a top number.
- #10 OUR FOREFATHERS (6-1): Underneath. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.
Selections: 5 – 4 – 9 – 10
The Plays
Win: #5 at 6-5
Exacta: 5 / 4,9
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:49 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #7 MARKET RUNNER (6-1): Top Pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Barn has been solid.
- #11 BIG JAKE (9-2): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance.
- #10 TAGERMEEN (5-2): Fringe Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
- #9 CAMPOBASSO (3-1): Fringe Contender. Prat puts this one in with a chance. Should still have enough in the reserves if there in the final furlong.
Selections: 7 – 11 – 10 – 9
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-1
Exacta: 7 / 11,9
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:21 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $127k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #7 FINAL STORY (4-5): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Fits well with this group.
- #5 BRAVE PILOT (5-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Good race flow for this runner.
- #8 BLACKOUT TIME (4-1): Major Player. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous. Should sit a good trip.
- #2 NON CONFORMING (8-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 7 – 5 – 8 – 2
The Plays
Win: #7 at 1-1
Exacta: 7 / 5,8
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:55 PM ET; Anchorage Stakes $275k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #9 VIVE VEUVE (5-2): Top Pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Should be able to work out a trip.
- #3 WAY TO BE MARIE (8-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Trainer is having a great meet.
- #8 PIN UP BETTY (7-2): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. May be able to find the right setup.
- #10 STYLISH SUE (9-2): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 9 – 3 – 8 – 10
The Plays
Win: #9 at 2-1
Exacta: 9 / 3,8,10
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:29 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $134k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #8 BRING THE SMOKE (3-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Gaffalione puts this one in with a chance.
- #10 DIVE BOMBER (15-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Likely to get forward position.
- #9 KEEP IT EASY (6-1): Major Player. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Previous success in similar race types.
- #4 MONEY SUPPLY (9-2): Major Player. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 8 – 10 – 9 – 4
The Plays
Win: #8 at 5-2
Exacta: 8 / 10,9,4
Pick 3 (Races 6-8): #8,10 with #1 with #1,8
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 4:04 PM ET; Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes $500k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.
- #1 SPLENDORA (4-5): Best Bet of the Card. Comes in with solid form. Barn has been solid. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #5 SHRED THE GNAR (6-5): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
- #2 REGALED (10-1): Major Player. This one's a fighter in the late stages. The 103 speed rating is among the best in the field.
- #3 IMMERSIVE (8-1): Major Player. Recent races are solid. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 1 – 5 – 2 – 3
The Plays
Win: #1 at 1-1
Exacta: 1 / 2,3
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:36 PM ET; American Derby $275k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #1 IMMORTALISED (4-1): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Fits well with this group.
- #8 BUST OUT (6-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #4 THOUSANDSTICKS (5-1): Major Player. Potentially ready to hit a top number.
- #6 ALPYLAND (8-5): Major Player. Could be grinding down the competition late. Fast enough on paper to compete.
Selections: 1 – 8 – 4 – 6
The Plays
Win: #1 at 3-1
Exacta: 1 / 8,4,6
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 5:08 PM ET; Bango Stakes $275k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #2 CORNUCOPIAN (1-1): Top Pick. Looks good based on the 107 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Strong early pace figs.
- #6 DR. VENKMAN (7-2): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
- #7 BUILT (4-1): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
- #4 GOLD SWEEP (20-1): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 2 – 6 – 7 – 4
The Plays
Win: #2 at 1-1
Exacta: 2 / 6,7
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 5:43 PM ET; Wise Dan Stakes $500k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #2 LAGYNOS (5-2): Top Pick. Race sets up perfectly. Looks good based on the 103 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
- #6 DRESDEN ROW (7-2): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition.
- #4 CHASING THE CROWN (9-2): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Could wear these ones down late.
- #3 MERCANTE (8-1): Contender. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.
Selections: 2 – 6 – 4 – 3
The Plays
Win: #2 at 2-1
Exacta: 2 / 6,4,3
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 11
Post Time: 6:14 PM ET; Stephen Foster Stakes $2000k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #4 BAEZA (6-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Comes in with solid form. Races competitive with the top contenders. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #5 MAGNITUDE (7-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Seems to be up against the right competition.
- #2 WHITE ABARRIO (3-1): Major Player. Morning Line suggests this one is all systems go for the first start. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance.
- #3 SOVEREIGNTY (6-5): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 4 – 5 – 2 – 3
The Plays
Win: #4 at 5-1
Trifecta: 4 / 5,2 / 5,2,3
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 12
Post Time: 6:44 PM ET; Tepin Stakes $275k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.
- #11 TURNER'S CHARM (10-1): Top Pick. Comes in with solid form. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #9 TAM TAM (5-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Seems to be up against the right competition.
- #3 EAST JABIP (4-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level.
- #10 USE ME (8-1): Major Player. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Race shape gives this one an edge.
Selections: 11 – 9 – 3 – 10
The Plays
Win: #11 at 5-1
Exacta: 11 / 9,3,10
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Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.
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