The forecast for Sunday, October 12th, at Keeneland is for clear skies and temperatures in the mid-to-high 60s Fahrenheit. The track surface is expected to be firm, which favors speed and quick acceleration on the 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint course.
The $400,000 Franklin Stakes (G2) returns to Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Sunday, October 12th, as a major prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. This 5 1/2-furlong test on the firm turf course attracts the best older fillies and mares in the sprint division.
The 2025 edition features an elite field of nine, highlighted by the defending champion, a dangerous Irish-bred rival, and an undefeated three-year-old on the rise. For bettors, these three horses stand out as the best plays in what promises to be a lightning-fast race.
It's hard to look past Future Is Now, who comes in as the deserved morning-line favorite and the defending champion of this very race. Trained by Michael Trombetta, this five-year-old mare is in commanding form, bringing an 8-2-0 record in her last 12 turf sprints. She has put together an exceptional run this year with a second in the Grade 2 Intercontinental, followed by wins in the Grade 3 Caress and the Smart N Fancy Stakes—the same path she took to victory here last year. Her Beyer Speed Figure pattern of 99-99-98-97-99 shows elite, consistent class. The connections have secured the services of multiple Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz, Jr. (a significant upgrade) to ride her from the far outside post (Post 9). Her proven comfort level with the Keeneland turf makes her the one they all need to beat.
The Irish-bred Pipsy (IRE) represents the primary threat to the favorite and offers outstanding value at her price. Trained by William Walden, this four-year-old filly showed her class by defeating Future Is Now in the Grade 2 Intercontinental at Saratoga, winning by a half-length. Jockey Flavien Prat, a master of Keeneland's turf course, takes the call. Pipsy is quick out of the gate and will be a part of the early pace, which is often a winning style in this 5 1/2-furlong event. While she carries a high weight of 125 pounds, reflecting her international class, her proven ability to handle fast turf and her recent victory over the favorite ensure she is a serious contender.
The most intriguing horse in the field is Luna Louska, who enters on a four-race winning streak and gets a significant weight break as a three-year-old filly (118 lbs). Trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, this filly is a genuine speedball who has led at every point of call in all three of her turf sprints. She most recently won the Floral Park Stakes at Aqueduct. While she steps up in class to face older, seasoned mares, her blistering early speed is a powerful weapon in a turf sprint. If she breaks cleanly and gets to the rail, she will be challenging for the closers to run down, especially with the 7-pound weight advantage over Pipsy and the 5-pound advantage over Future Is Now.
The 2025 Franklin Stakes is set up to be a brilliant, fast-paced showdown between the proven class of Future Is Now, the dangerous form of Pipsy (IRE), and the unbridled speed of Luna Louska.
For bettors, focusing on a boxed exacta or trifecta using these three is the recommended strategy, as all three have a significant chance to win and will stamp themselves as a leading contender for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
