Stepping Stone Purse Stepping Stone Purse 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. In 1959, Sword Dancer won the Stepping Stone Purse, then ran second in the Kentucky Derby before winning the Belmont Stakes. The following year, Bally Ache won this race then ran second in the Derby but won the Preakness Stakes. In 1969, future U.S. Racing
Marine Stakes Marine Stakes The Marine Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Held in mid May, it is open to three-year-old horses and is contested over a distance of miles (8.5 furlongs) on Polytrack synthetic dirt. It currently offers a purse of $115,938. Inaugurated in 1956 at Greenwood Raceway, for Canadian-bred horses the Marine Stakes is the final prep for the Queen's Plate, Canada's most prestigious horse race. Since inception, it has been raced at various distances: Speed record: (at current distance of miles) Most wins by an owner: Most wins by a