The Stepping Stone Purse was an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in the latter part of April at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Open to three-year-old horses, it was, along with the Derby Trial Stakes, one of two final prep races hosted by Churchill Downs running up to the Kentucky Derby.
| Discontinued horse race | |
 | |
| Location | Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1958 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 7 furlongs (1958–1976) 8 furlongs (1977–1981) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three years old |
| Weight | Assigned |
In 1959, Sword Dancer won the Stepping Stone Purse,[1] then ran second in the Kentucky Derby before winning the Belmont Stakes. The following year, Bally Ache won this race[2] then ran second in the Derby but won the Preakness Stakes. In 1969, future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Majestic Prince won this race by six lengths while setting a new stakes record and then won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. In 1974, Cannonade too won the Stepping Stone Purse and the Kentucky Derby[3][4] and 1965 winner Tom Rolfe went on to finish third in the Derby but then won the Preakness Stakes.[5]
Records
edit- Speed record
- 1:21.60 – Majestic Prince (1969) (at 7 furlongs)
- 1:37.40 – Nostalgia (1977) (at 8 furlongs)
- Most wins by a jockey
- 2 – Bill Shoemaker (1959, 1966)
- 2 – Ismael Valenzuela (1962, 1964)
- 2 – Manuel Ycaza (1963, 1968)
- Most wins by a trainer
- 2 – Woody Stephens (1963, 1974)
- Most wins by an owner
- 2 – Cain Hoy Stable (1963, 1968)