Trio by American Pharoah to Clash in Franklin-Simpson

Three sophomore colts sired by American Pharoah  will face off against each other Sept. 16 in the $500,000 Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G3T) at Kentucky Downs, which highlights the closing day card.

Paul Pompa Jr.'s Quick Call Stakes (G3T) winner Turned Aside, Richard Ravin's group 3 winner Maven, and Leonard and Jonathon Green's multiple stakes winner Another Miracle—all sons of the 2015 Triple Crown winner—are expected to meet in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds.

Linda Rice-trained Turned Aside will break from the rail with Jose Ortiz in the irons. The homebred stretches out another-eighth mile after taking the 5 1/2-furlong Quick Call July 24 at Saratoga Race Course, where he stalked the pace and pounced for a 1 3/4-length victory. He breezed a bullet five furlongs Sept. 8 in 1:00 1/5 on the Belmont Park training track.

Maven will depart from post 3 with Irad Ortiz Jr. up. The Wesley Ward trainee traveled to Europe at 2 and won the Connolly's Red Mills Prix du Bois (G3) at Chantilly. He then ran 10th in another group 3 event in England and returned nearly a year later to win a July 8 allowance over good turf at Keeneland. He ran sixth last out in the Mahony Stakes Aug. 26 at Saratoga, where he was bumped at the start and lacked a response late. The chestnut breezed a half-mile in :48.70 over Saratoga's Oklahoma training turf Sept. 6.

While Turned Aside and Maven are listed at 3-1 and 5-1, respectively, on the morning line, Another Miracle was tabbed a 15-1 shot.

Joseph Orseno trains Another Miracle, who will leave from post 10 under Gerardo Corrales. Orseno received the colt after previous trainer Gary Contessa retired. As a 2-year-old, Another Miracle won the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga and placed third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T). In his seasonal debut and first for Orseno he hit the gate and was bumped at the start in the Texas Glitter Stakes March 21 at Gulfstream Park and was seventh.

"It was just a throwout race," Orseno said. "I told Jon (Green), 'I think I just need to regroup with this horse and get to know him.' We dropped back and gelded the horse, which he needed tremendously."

Another Miracle returned July 12 and rallied to win the My Frenchman Stakes over good turf at Monmouth Park. He worked three furlongs in :38.77 Sept. 6 on Gulfstream's dirt.

"He's a different horse. He's very happy now," Orseno added. "Listen, he was third in the Breeders' Cup last year so he doesn't have to get too much better to have a good campaign. I'm expecting a big race from him. He loves where he's at at Kentucky Downs. He's a horse who is really thriving."

Twelve horses were entered in the main body of the Franklin-Simpson along with four that are also eligible. Guildsman, winner of the Tom Ridge Stakes on Presque Isle Downs' all-weather last out and multiple groupplaced; Old Chestnut, a stakes winner over Woodbine's turf and second in the Quick Call; Embolden, a juvenile stakes winner who has placed in four other stakes events; and Fore Left, a group 3 winner at Meydan who was third in the Quick Call are also entered.

Kimari, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, was cross-entered and instead ran in the Sept. 15 Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs against fillies. She finished third.

Entries: Franklin-Simpson S. (G3T)

Kentucky Downs, Wednesday, September 16, 2020, Race 9

• Grade IIIT
• 6 1/2f
• Turf
• $500,000
• 3 yo
• 4:32 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Turned Aside (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	124	Linda Rice	3/1
2	2Johnny Unleashed (KY)	Corey J. Lanerie	120	Eric N. Foster	12/1
3	3Maven (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	124	Wesley A. Ward	5/1
4	4Flap Jack (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	118	Jack Sisterson	20/1
5	5Island Commish (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	124	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	20/1
6	6Old Chestnut (FL)	Florent Geroux	122	Mark E. Casse	20/1
7	7Kimari (KY)	Julio A. Garcia	122	Wesley A. Ward	5/2
8	8Guildsman (FR)	Tyler Gaffalione	118	Brendan P. Walsh	20/1
9	9Embolden (VA)	James Graham	122	Michael Stidham	10/1
10	10Another Miracle (KY)	Gerardo Corrales	122	Joseph F. Orseno	15/1
11	11Fore Left (KY)	Mario Gutierrez	118	Doug F. O'Neill	10/1
12	12Souper Dormy (KY)	Adam Beschizza	118	Mark E. Casse	30/1
13	13Competitive Saint (KY)	Gabriel Saez	118	George Weaver	8/1
14	14Race Driver (KY)	Florent Geroux	118	Mark E. Casse	20/1
15	15Mishko (KY)	Adam Beschizza	118	Joe Sharp	30/1
16	16Olson (KY)	Miguel Mena	118	Jason Barkley	30/1