Simpson Stakes – (Grade ll)

Purse $1,500.00 – For Three Year Olds

6 1/2 Furlongs – Turf

Kentucky Downs – September 7, 2026

No Prince showed off his versatility on the cutback in distance—slowly edging clear down the stretch to capture the 8th edition of the Simpson Stakes! This was his second stakes win of the year after winning The Saranac at Saratoga in early July. Connections bought this colt for $200.00 at the beginning of the year, and now he is slowly paying some dividends. This victory came with a huge purse as No Prince’s lifetime earnings jumped to $1,455.88. Mb Stables extends his lead as the winningest owner in Simpson Stakes history with his fourth trip to the winner’s circle since 2019. That continued success is a true testament to the stable’s dedication and consistency over the years. The final time for the 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:14.07, only a couple of fifths slower than previous years. Well, will No Prince stay sprinting or stretch back out to two turns? Mb will clearly have a difficult decision to make when choosing the next spot for this three-year-old since he will likely have to face older company. Congratulations on another impressive performance!

Winner: No Prince – (Mb Stables, J R. Velazquez) There were definitely some question marks with this colt cutting back in distance. No Prince had a clean break and settled just behind the early leaders. He continued to inch forward during the opening stages and took control of the race as the field reached the half-mile pole. Once in front, the son of Prince George maintained a comfortable advantage while several rivals remained within striking range behind him. He began to open up down the stretch and carried a one length lead into the closing stages. Great Scholar, Blooming Attack & Forgotten Shark came flying late, but No Prince had enough left in the tank to hold them off by roughly half of a length. Well done!

Second Place: Great Scholar – (Nakamura Stables, D E. Centeno) Coming into this race off a second-place finish against older N2X company, Great Scholar put together a huge effort. This gelding was not rushed from the inside post and settled in the middle of a tightly packed field. He saved ground along the rail and remained covered up behind rivals throughout the first half of the race. Great Scholar gradually improved his position before finding a clear running lane passing the quarter pole. He produced one of the strongest late runs in the field and quickly cut into No Prince’s advantage. The wire came up just a little too soon, but he was able to secure second by a half-length. This New York-bred has clearly found his new home sprinting on the grass.

Third Place: Blooming Attack – (Mb Stables, R. Santana Jr.) Connections have been poking around trying to find what this son of Sioux Attack wants to do, and he may have answered that question. Blooming Attack showed some early foot leaving the gate and settled midpack about a few lengths off the pace. Jockey Ricardo Santna Jr. was praying for some fast early fractions to close into rounding the far turn. This gelding remained within striking range throughout and began making his move as the field entered the stretch. He continued close with serious strides all the way to the wire but was narrowly outfinished by Great Scholar for second. Blooming Attack held third by the slimmest of margins over Forgotten Shark. Solid effort.

Fourth Place: Forgotten Shark – (Mo Mentum Farm, F. Prat) From being claimed for $6.25 back in April, Forgotten Shark continues to impress and climb the ladder. He broke from the outside post and settled toward the front of the field while racing in the clear. The son of Hint Of Shark was only about a length off the leaders, steadily moving closer through the middle stages and worked his way into fourth as No Prince established control up front. Forgotten Shark continued gaining ground and briefly moved into second with one furlong to go. He could not get past No Prince and was caught late by both Great Scholar and Blooming Attack. It was an incredibly tight finish, with Forgotten Shark missing third by only a nose.

– AJM

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES