The Franklin-Simpson Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three years olds, over a distance of furlongs 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 event was inaugurated on 14 September 2017 over the seven furlong distance and was won by the Wesley A. Ward trained Master Merion by 2 lengths in a time of 1:27.95.
The event was named honor the city, Franklin, and the county Simpson where the Kentucky Downs racetrack is located.
The name of this event was used previously in 2008 for a race which was open for three-year-olds and older over the one mile distance. However, that event was later renamed and the name was idle since 2014.
In 2018 the distance of the event was decreased to furlongs.
In 2019 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 2024 the event was upgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to a Grade I. The event was downgraded back to Grade II for 2026.
Records Speed record: furlongs: 1:14.20 Howard Wolowitz (2024)
Margins: lengths: One Timer (2022)
Most wins by an owner: 3 - Qatar Racing (2019, 2020, 2021)
Most wins by a jockey: 3 - Tyler Gaffalione (2020, 2021, 2025)
Most wins by a trainer: 2 - Brendan Walsh (2020, 2021)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefFranklin-Simpson Stakes2026Take Charge Star (IRE)3Jamie SpencerJohn P. MurtaghMaribeth Stanford furlongs1:15.45$1,041,525II2025Troubleshooting 3Tyler Gaffalione Gregory FoleyDonamire Farm furlongs1:14.33$1,994,300I 2024Howard Wolowitz 3Irad Ortiz Jr.Jose D'Angelo Gold Square furlongs1:14.20$1,847,100I 2023Private Creed 3Joel RosarioSteven M. AsmussenMike McCarty furlongs1:17.03$968,000II2022One Timer3Edward T. BairdLarry RivelliRichard Ravin & Patricia's Hope furlongs1:14.59$527,250II2021 The Lir Jet 3 Tyler Gaffalione Brendan P. WalshQatar Racing and Racehorse Club furlongs 1:15.38$413,700 II 2020 Guildsman (FR) 3 Tyler Gaffalione Brendan P. WalshQatar Racing furlongs 1:15.87$343,875 III 2019 Legends of War 3 Rafael Bejarano Doug F. O'Neill C T R Stables, Qatar Racing & Steve Keh furlongs 1:16.83$497,500III2018 Angaston 3 Brian Hernandez Jr. Lon Wiggins Twin Magnolia Farm furlongs 1:17.45$257,125 2017 Master Merion 3 Julio A. Garcia Wesley A. Ward Vivienne Day & Kate V. Rose 7 furlongs 1:27.95$250,000
See also List of American and Canadian Graded races
References