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.
[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.
[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.