Gold Square LLC’s Kentucky-bred Howard Wolowitz rallied late to win the $2 million Franklin-Simpson S. (G1) at Kentucky Downs on Saturday, Sept. 7. The race, which featured a $1 million purse boost by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, is the first ever Grade 1 event run at Kentucky Downs in the track’s 34-year history.

Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Howard Wolowitz tracked the early pace four deep in the 6 ½-furlong fixture. The 3-year-old colt gained an advantage at the three sixteenths pole and fought gamely through the lane to turn back Yellow Card to prevail by one length at the finish. Howard Wolowitz covered the distance in 1:14.20, just missing Ag Bullet’s course record of 1:14.19 set Aug. 31.

A Millionaire Son of Munnings

A lightly raced son of Munnings, Howard Wolowitz is produced from the Uncle Mo mare Forget Me Not. The dark bay or brown colt was bred in Kentucky by Martha Buckner and Matthew Ernst and was a $240,000 graduate of the 2022 Keeneland January Sale. Howard Wolowitz, who has now amassed earnings of $1,215,100 and is a two-time winner, is trained by Jose D’Angelo. The win proved timely for a sibling. His half-brother by Instagrand is Hip 2024 in the upcoming Keeneland September Sale, where he is consigned by Clarkland Farm.

Howard Wolowitz broke his maiden in fine fashion at Gulfstream Park in June. In his second lifetime start, Howard Wolowitz led gate to wire to take a five-furlong maiden special weight over the synthetic surface by 7 ¾ lengths. His final time was a fast :55.86. He entered the Franklin-Simpson off a troubled fourth-place finish in Saratoga’s Mahony Stakes Aug.11.