The Louisville Stakes is Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses age four years and older run over a distance of one and one half miles (12 furlongs) on the Turf scheduled annually in late May or early June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The event offers a purse of $200,000.

History

The event is named in honor of the city of Louisville where the Churchill Downs racetrack is located. The event has a long and inconsistent history since its first running in 1895 as the Louisville Handicap. The inaugural event was held at a distance of 1 1/4 miles on the dirt on 15 May 1895 as the third event on a six race card attracting four runners which was won by the favorite Henry Young. The event was shortened for the next running in 1896 but was not held in 1897. Between 1900 and 1906 the event was not held and when it was resumed in 1907 it was held at the shorter distance of six furlongs. Between World War I and World War II the event was only held once in 1938 at the longer distance of 1 1/16 miles. In 1946 the event once again resumed in the late fall, initially as the Churchill Downs Special and then back to the original name in 1947 at the distance of 1 1/8 miles. After being idle between 1953 and 1956, the event was rescheduled back to the spring at the shorter distance of 1 1/16 miles. In 1987 the event was carded for the turf course for the first time at a distance of one mile. The distance has been increased three times with current distance set in 2007. The event was run in divisions in 1991. The event was classified as a Grade III in 2002 and has held that grading since. Six fillies or mares have won this event with Keertana the only mare to win this race at the current distance. Since its inauguration in 1895, two horses have won this race three times, both accomplishing the rare feet in consecutive years.

Records

Winners

Legend: Notes: † In 2002, Two Point Two Mill won but was disqualified after an incident in the stretch and was set back to eighth place. The disqualification resulted in the declaration of Pisces and Classic Par as winners who had dead heated. § Ran as part of an entry ‡ Filly or Mare