The Franklin-Simpson Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for three years olds, over a distance of 6+1⁄2 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 $2,000,000 which includes $1,000,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
| Grade I race | |
| Location | Kentucky Downs Franklin, Kentucky, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 2017 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Sponsor | Aristocrat (since 2024) |
| Website | Kentucky Downs |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6+1⁄2 furlongs |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | 124 lbs with allowances |
| Purse | $2,000,000 (since 2024) |
History
editThe 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.[1]
The event was named honor the city, Franklin, and the county Simpson where the Kentucky Downs racetrack is located.[2]
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 6+1⁄2 furlongs.[3]
In 2019 the event was upgraded to a Grade III.[2] With the influx of gaming revenue at Kentucky Downs the purse for the event has risen dramatically to nearly $500,000 offered by 2019.[2]
In 2024 the event was upgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to a Grade I.[4]
Records
editSpeed record:
- 6+1⁄2 furlongs: 1:14.20 Howard Wolowitz (2024)
Margins:
- 4+1⁄4 lengths: One Timer (2022)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 - Qatar Racing (2019, 2020, 2021)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 2 - Tyler Gaffalione (2020, 2021)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 2 - Brendan Walsh (2020, 2021)
Winners
edit| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin-Simpson Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Howard Wolowitz | 3 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Jose D'Angelo | Gold Square | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.20 | $1,847,100 | I | [5] |
| 2023 | Private Creed | 3 | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | Mike McCarty | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:17.03 | $968,000 | II | [6] |
| 2022 | One Timer | 3 | Edward T. Baird | Larry Rivelli | Richard Ravin & Patricia's Hope | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.59 | $527,250 | II | [7] |
| 2021 | The Lir Jet | 3 | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan P. Walsh | Qatar Racing and Racehorse Club | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.38 | $413,700 | II | [8] |
| 2020 | Guildsman (FR) | 3 | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan P. Walsh | Qatar Racing | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.87 | $343,875 | III | [9] |
| 2019 | Legends of War | 3 | Rafael Bejarano | Doug F. O'Neill | C T R Stables, Qatar Racing & Steve Keh | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.83 | $497,500 | III | [10] |
| 2018 | Angaston | 3 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Lon Wiggins | Twin Magnolia Farm | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:17.45 | $257,125 | [11] | |
| 2017 | Master Merion | 3 | Julio A. Garcia | Wesley A. Ward | Vivienne Day & Kate V. Rose | 7 furlongs | 1:27.95 | $250,000 | [1] | |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "2017 Franklin-Simpson Stakes Black Type - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ a b c "Franklin-Simpson Stakes (Gr. 3)". equibase. 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ "FRANKLIN-SIMPSON MILE - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded, Listed Stakes For 2024; Five Races Lose Grade 1 Status". paulickreport.com. 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ "2024 Aristocrat Franklin-Simpson Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "2023 Franklin-Simpson Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "2022 Franklin-Simpson Stakes Grade 2 - (race 12)". Equibase. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ "2021 Franklin-Simpson Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ "2020 Franklin-Simpson Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "2019 Nevada State Bank Franklin-Simpson Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ "2018 Franklin-Simpson Stakes Black Type - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2020.