In 1988 the event reverted to a handicap and was held with such conditions until 2006. In 1992 the event was classified as Grade III. The winner that year, 4/5 odds-on Pleasant Tap would also win the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Suburban Handicap and was awarded the U.S. Champion Older Male Horse. The event was upgraded to Grade II in 1998. That year the winner 7/5 favorite Distorted Humor set a new track of 1:21.18 winning by lengths over Gold Land. The track record was once again broken in this event in 2001 when Alannan won in a time of 1:20.50. That day on Kentucky Derby Day, three track records were broken. The 2004 winner six-year-old Speightstown continued his brilliant year capturing the Breeders' Cup Sprint and being crowned the U.S. Champion Sprinter. In 2007 the conditions of the event were changed from handicap to stakes allowance and the name of the event was modified to the Churchill Downs Stakes. The American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the race to its current Grade I status in 2019. Mitole, the 2019 winner would also win the Grade I Metropolitan Handicap, Forego Stakes and Breeders' Cup Sprint and was crowned the U.S. Champion Sprinter. Records Speed record: 7 furlongs – 1:20.50 Alannan (2001) 6 furlongs – 1:10.60 Roaming (1953) 1 mile – 1:36.60 My Bill (1941) Margins: 5 lengths – Barbizon Streak (1974), Dreadnought (1981) Most wins: 3 – Arab's Arrow (1938, 1939, 1940) Most wins by a jockey: 5 – Steve Brooks (1947, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1959) Most wins by a trainer: 3 – Gilbert Hardy (1938, 1939, 1940) 3 – William I. Mott (1983, 1985, 1999) Most wins by an owner: 3 – Louise Hickman (1938, 1939, 1940) 3 – Dixiana Farm (1950, 1952, 1973) 3 – Albert M. Stall Sr. (1980, 1982, 1985) Winners Notes: § Ran as an entry ƒ Filly or Mare † In the 2002 running of the event Snow Ridge was first past the post but was disqualified due the rider Mike E. Smith accidentally striking D'wildcat's face with his whip as the runners approached the finishing post. D'wildcat was declared the winner. See also List of American and Canadian Graded races External links Churchill Downs Media Guide - $500,000 Churchill Downs References Graded stakes races in the United States Open mile category horse races Churchill Downs horse races 1911 establishments in