The 2026 Franklin-Simpson Stakes will be run on Monday, September 7, at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. The Grade II race is contested at 6½ furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds with a $1,500,000 purse.
| Date | Monday, September 7, 2026 |
| Track | Kentucky Downs |
| Race | Race 11 |
| Distance | 6½ furlongs |
| Surface | Turf |
| Grade | Grade II |
| Purse | $1,500,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds |
| Post Time | 5:17 PM CT |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Immortalised (FR) | B J Hernandez, Jr. | B P Walsh | 10/1 |
| 2 | Hey Nay Nay (IRE) | J Rosario | J W Sadler | 20/1 |
| 3 | Honey Dutch (KY) | J D Ramos | D Beckman | 15/1 |
| 4 | Oscar's Hope (KY) | B Curtis | K LaRose | 8/1 |
| 5 | Throckmorton (KY) | L Saez | C Summers | 10/1 |
| 6 | Aplyland (KY) | J Castellano | M E Casse | 3/1 |
| 7 | Learntodiscover (GB) | T Gaffalione | B P Walsh | 20/1 |
| 8 | Blinging It Back (KY) | J L Ortiz | M E Casse | 5/1 |
| 9 | Two Out Hero (KY) | R M Hernandez | K Attard | 20/1 |
| 10 | Take Charge Star (IRE) | J P Spencer | J P Murtagh | 4/1 |
| 11 | Vasy (IRE) | F Prat | B P Walsh | 15/1 |
| 12 | Obliteration (KY) | K J Asmussen | S M Asmussen | 8/1 |
| 13 | Reb Five (KY) (AE) | J L Ortiz | M E Casse | 30/1 |
| 14 | Trouble Calling (KY) (AE) | T Gaffalione | G D Foley | 8/1 |
| 15 | Later Than Planned (IRE) (AE) | U Rispoli | P D'Amato | 12/1 |
| 16 | Creole Chrome (LA) (AE) | U Rispoli | J Sharp | 10/1 |
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The Franklin-Simpson Stakes is one of Kentucky Downs' premier turf sprints for 3-year-olds. The 2026 Grade II event is contested over 6½ furlongs on Kentucky Downs' turf course and carries a $1.5 million purse.
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The current Franklin-Simpson Stakes was inaugurated in 2017 at Kentucky Downs and is named for Franklin, Kentucky, and Simpson County, where the racetrack is located.
The race earned Grade III status in 2019 and was later elevated to Grade II before becoming a Grade I event in 2024. It remained Grade I in 2025 before being reclassified as Grade II for the 2026 season.
Howard Wolowitz holds the current Franklin-Simpson Stakes race record after winning the 2024 edition in 1:14.20.
Troubleshooting won the 2025 Franklin-Simpson Stakes under jockey Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Gregory D. Foley, completing the 6½ furlongs in 1:14.33.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Troubleshooting | Tyler Gaffalione | Gregory D. Foley | 1:14.33 |
| 2024 | Howard Wolowitz | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Jose Francisco D'Angelo | 1:14.20 |
| 2023 | Private Creed | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | 1:17.03 |
| 2022 | One Timer | Edward T. Baird | Larry Rivelli | 1:14.59 |
| 2021 | The Lir Jet | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan P. Walsh | 1:15.38 |
| 2020 | Guildsman (FR) | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan P. Walsh | 1:15.87 |
The 2026 Franklin-Simpson Stakes is scheduled for Monday, September 7 at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. It will be run as Race 11, with post time set for 5:17 PM CT.
The Franklin-Simpson Stakes is contested at 6½ furlongs on turf at Kentucky Downs.
The 2026 Franklin-Simpson Stakes carries a $1,500,000 purse.
The Franklin-Simpson Stakes is restricted to 3-year-old Thoroughbreds.
Aplyland is the morning-line favorite for the 2026 Franklin-Simpson Stakes. Check the latest odds table above for current prices as race day approaches.
The latest 2026 Franklin-Simpson Stakes odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
The Franklin-Simpson Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred turf sprint held at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. It is contested at 6½ furlongs for 3-year-olds.
The Franklin-Simpson Stakes is held at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky.
You can bet the Franklin-Simpson Stakes online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, select Kentucky Downs, choose the Franklin-Simpson Stakes, and place your wager. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Troubleshooting won the 2025 Franklin-Simpson Stakes under jockey Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Gregory D. Foley, completing the 6½ furlongs in 1:14.33.
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