Record Purses for Churchill's Foster Day

(from Churchill track notes)
Purses for Saturday's four stakes races that make up Churchill Downs' "Stephen Foster Super Saturday" card started out at $1.35 million, but they will soar considerably higher when the "added money" portion of the purses enter the mix.

Nomination, entry and starting fees for Saturday's races will push the day's total stakes purses to a record $1,535,500. The single day stakes purses total for Churchill Downs remains second only to Kentucky Derby Day, which had total stakes purses this year in excess of $2 million. Total purses for the 11 race Stephen Foster card total $1,844,000.

The purse for the $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) is the greatest beneficiary of this year's "added money" fees. The race attracted 12 horses and, if all start, its total purse will rise to $864,000 -- well above last year's record purse of $833,250 for the renewal won by Godolphin's Street Cry.

The Stephen Foster attracted 32 nominations at $750 each and the race required a fee of $3,750 to enter and another $3,750 to start.

If all entrants start, Saturday's "added money" will push the purses for the $300,000 Fleur De Lis (gr. II) to $329,400; the $200,000 Regret (gr. III) to $231,000; and the $100,000 Northern Dancer to $111,100.