The Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are three years old or older, over a distance of 1 mile on the turf held annually in September at Kentucky Downs racetrack in Franklin, Kentucky during their short turf meeting. The event currently carries a purse of $1,500,000 which includes $750,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.

History The race was inaugurated in 1992 as the Rachel Jackson Stakes in honor of Rachel Jackson the wife of Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States. Her family moved close to the area where the Kentucky Downs racetrack is located on the border of Kentucky and Tennessee.White House History biography

The event was not run for 2 years and when it resumed in 1998 it was run as the Kentucky Cup Ladies Turf Handicap. The event was renamed to its current name Ladies Turf Stakes in 2011.

In 2017 the event was upgraded to a Grade III.

With the influx of gaming revenue at Kentucky Downs the purse for the event has risen dramatically to nearly $500,000 offered by 2019.

In December 2025 it was announced by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association that the event would be upgraded to Grade II for 2026.

Records Speed record: 1 mile: 1:32.40 – Special Wan (IRE) (2025)

Margins: lengths – Secret Someone (2016)

Most wins by a jockey 4 – Florent Geroux (2014, 2021, 2023, 2026)

Most wins by a trainer 4 – W. Elliott Walden (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)

Most wins by an owner: 2 – Mark H. Stanley (1998. 1999) 2 – Barbara Hunter (1992, 2011) 2 – Augustin Stable (2008, 2023)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefLadies Turf Stakes2026Bless the Broken4Florent GerouxBrad H. CoxQatar Racing, Mountmellick Farm & Hunter Valley Farm1 mile1:34.80$1,492,500II2025 Special Wan (IRE) 5 Joel Rosario Brendan P. Walsh Team Valor International & Steven Rocco 1 mile1:32.40$1,316,000III2024Walkathon 5Brian Hernandez Jr.Ian R. WilkesWhitham Thoroughbreds 1 mile 1:33.76$1,494,840III2023Regal Realm 6Florent GerouxJonathan ThomasAugustin Stable 1 mile 1:37.08$1,000,000III2022Dalika (GER)6Brian Hernandez Jr.Albert Stall Jr.Bal Mar Equine 1 mile1:33.53$726,580III2021Princess Grace 4Florent GerouxMichael StidhamJohn & Susan Moore 1 mile1:34.25$660,000III2020 Regal Glory 4Jose L. OrtizChad C. BrownPaul P. Pompa Jr. 1 mile1:34.34$500,000III2019 Ms Bad Behavior 4 José L. Ortiz Richard Baltas Sayjay Racing, G. Hall, B. Hubbard 1 mile 1:35.25$356,320III2018 Insta Erma 5 Drayden Van Dyke Richard Baltas Medallion Racing, Premier Racing, J. McClanahan, C. Johnson 1 mile 1:36.26$472,780III2017 Miss Temple City 5 Edgar S. Prado H. Graham Motion The Club Racing, Needle In A Haystack & Sagamore Farm 1 mile 1:36.91$340,100III2016 Secret Someone 5 Robby Albarado Michael Stidham Mt. Brilliant Stable 1 mile 1:38.00$348,666 Listed 2015 Kiss Moon 4 Corey J. Lanerie David R. Vance Carl F. Pollard 1 mile 1:36.18$289,200 Listed 2014 I'm Already Sexy 4 Florent Geroux Wayne M. Catalano Hit The Board Stables 1 mile 1:35.25$197,000 2013 Dancing to Town 5 Joseph Rocco Jr. Michael R. Matz Ramona S. Bass 1 mile 1:35.52$161,501 2012 Miz Ida 3 Shaun Bridgmohan Steve Margolis Bert, Richard & Elaine Klein 1 mile 1:50.46$74,917 2011 4 Mark Guidry Thomas F. Proctor Barbara Hunter 1 mile 1:39.83$50,000 2010 Never Retreat 5 Eduardo E. Perez Chris M. Block Team Block 1 mile 1:46.18$50,000 2009 Danzon 6 Miguel Mena Kellyn Gorder H. Joseph Allen 1 mile 1:40.70$50,000 2008 Royal Pleasure 5 Augustin Stable 1 mile 1:37.23$100,000 Listed 2007 Quiet Royal 4 Christopher P. DeCarlo Todd A. Pletcher Wertheimer et Frère 1 mile 1:37.42$100,000 Listed 2006 Dash of Humor 6 Calvin H. Borel Hal R. Wiggins James D. Conway 1 mile 1:41.59$100,000Listed 2005 Miss Wellspring 4 Rafael Bejarano Gregory D. Foley John Eaton & Steve Laymon 1 mile 1:39.20$100,000 Listed 2004 Sand Springs 4 Mark Guidry Willmott Stables 1 mile 1:36.88$100,000 Listed 2003 Apasionata Sonata 5 Rafael Bejarano John T. Ward Jr. Frederick J. Seitz 1 mile 1:37.84$100,000 Listed 2002 San Dare 4 Willie Martinez Rick Hiles David G. Mounts 1 mile 1:42.55$100,000 Listed Ladies Turf Handicap2001 Gino's Spirits (GB) 5 Pat Day W. Elliott Walden Rio Aventura Stables & Tom Van Meter 1 mile 1:39.16$100,000 Listed 2000 Silken (GB) 4 Larry Melancon W. Elliott Walden WinStar Farm 1 mile 1:36.16$100,000Listed 1999 Pleasant Temper 5 Pat Day W. Elliott Walden Mark H. Stanley 1 mile 1:37.20$100,000 Listed 1998 Pleasant Temper 4 Larry Melancon W. Elliott Walden Mark H. Stanley 1 mile 1:35.20$100,000 Listed 1997Race not held1996Race not heldRachel Jackson Stakes1995 Lady Skywalker 5 Robert Williams Larry Donlin Richard Gotschall 1 mile 1:37.80$125,000 Listed 1994 Words of War 5 Carlos Marquez Jr. Joseph Kasperski Jr. L. Karp, R. Stone, M. Kledzik & T. G. Teel 1 mile 1:37.20$150,000 Listed 1993 One Dreamer 5 Earlie Fires Thomas F. Proctor Glen Hill Farm 1 mile 1:37.80$150,000 Listed 1992 Harness Hitch 5 Shawn Payton Steven Reiser Barbara Hunter 1 mile 1:35.40$150,000 Listed

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

References