| Class | Grade III |
|---|---|
| Location | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Inaugurated | 1917 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+3⁄16 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-year-olds & up |
| Purse | US$300,000 |
The Ben Ali Stakes is an American race for thoroughbred horses run in the Spring of each year at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. For 4-year-olds and up, it is a Grade III event set at a distance of one and three-sixteenth miles on the dirt. Currently it offers a purse of $300,000.
According to the official history at Keeneland racetrack, the Ben Ali (pronounced Ah-Lie) is named for James Ben Ali Haggin (1822–1914), a lawyer who made a fortune during the California Gold Rush and who used much of that money to create the biggest horse breeding farm in the world: the Rancho Del Paso near Sacramento, California. He also owned Elmendorf Farm in Lexington, Kentucky with its thousands of acres of prime Kentucky bluegrass. Haggin became a noteworthy breeder of great racehorses and a fervent supporter of the sport. Haggin owned the Hall of Famers, Salvator and the filly, Firenzi.
The first running of the Ben Ali took place in 1917 at the Lexington Race Course where it was raced through 1932 after which the track closed. [1] It did not run again until it was revived at Keeneland in 1937.
Decidedly, the winner of the 1962 Kentucky Derby, won this race in 1963, and Pistols and Roses in 1994.
Speed record
Margins
Most wins by a jockey
Most wins by a horse trainer
Most wins by an owner
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kingsbarns | 4 | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | Spendthrift Farm | 1:57.74 |
| 2023 | Rattle N Roll | 4 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth G. McPeek | Lucky Seven Stable | 1:56.48 |
| 2022 | Scalding | 4 | Javier Castellano | Claude R. McGaughey III | Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable & LNJ Foxwoods | 1:50.30 |
| 2021 | Sliver Dust | 5 | Adam Beschizza | W. Bret Calhoun | Tom R. Durant | 1:50.21 |
| Race Not Run | ||||||
| 2019 | Bourbon Resolution | 4 | Chris Landeros | Ian R. Wilkes | Bourbon Lane Stable | 1:50.82 |
| 2018 | Rated R Superstar | 5 | Javier Castellano | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Radar Racing LLC | 1:49.31 |
| 2017 | Watershed | 5 | Paco Lopez | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Godolphin | 1:50.92 |
| 2016 | Eagle | 4 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III | 1:48.57 |
| 2015 | Protonico | 4 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Sumaya U.S. Stable | 1:48.79 |
| 2014 | Frac Daddy | 4 | Alan Garcia | Kenneth G. McPeek | Magic City Thoroughbreds | 1:49.61 |
| 2013 | Successful Dan | 6 | Joel Rosario | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 1:51.14 |
| 2012 | Wise Dan | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Charles LoPresti | Morton Fink | 1:46.63 |
| 2011 | Exhi | 4 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Wertheimer et Frère | 1:48.14 |
| 2010 | Dubious Miss | 6 | Calvin Borel | Paul McGee | David P. Holloway | 1:49.60 |
| 2009 | Parading | 6 | Kent Desormeaux | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 1:47.82 |
| 2008 | Sterwins | 5 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Malcolm Pierce | Melnyk Racing | 1:48.53 |
| 2007 | Jade's Revenge | 4 | Kent Desormeaux | H. Graham Motion | Bushwood Stable | 1:49.93 |
| 2006 | Wanderin Boy | 5 | Javier Castellano | Nick Zito | Arthur B. Hancock III | 1:49.18 |
| 2005 | Alumni Hall | 6 | Robby Albarado | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III | 1:51.29 |
| 2004 | Midway Road | 4 | Robby Albarado | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III | 1:46.78 |
| 2003 | Mineshaft | 4 | Robby Albarado | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III et al. | 1:48.52 |
| 2002 | Duckhorn | 5 | Jorge F. Chavez | Patrick B. Byrne | Michael B. Tabor | 1:50.18 |
| 2001 | Broken Vow | 4 | Edgar Prado | H. Graham Motion | Pin Oak Stable | 1:48.47 |
| 2000 | Midway Magistrate | 6 | Shane Sellers | Rick Hiles | BMH Stable | 1:49.00 |
| 1999 | Jazz Club | 4 | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III & J. Jamail | 1:48.00 |
| 1998 | Storm Broker | 4 | Robby Albarado | James E. Baker | Woodlynn Farm | 1:48.20 |
| 1997 | Louis Quatorze | 4 | Pat Day | Nick Zito | William J. Condren et al. | 1:49.60 |
| 1996 | Knockadoon | 4 | Jerry Bailey | Anthony Reinstedler | William K. Warren Jr. | 1:48.80 |
| 1995 | Wildly Joyous | 4 | Mickey Walls | James E. Baker | Woodlynn Farm | 1:49.60 |
| 1994 | Pistols and Roses | 5 | Mike E. Smith | George Gianos | Willis Family Stables, Inc. | 1:51.60 |
| 1993 | Sunny Sunrise | 6 | Rick Wilson | Bud Delp | Harry Meyerhoff | 1:48.80 |
| 1992 | Loach (DH) | 4 | Patrick Valenzuela | Richard J. Lundy | Allen E. Paulson | 1:49.55 |
| Profit Key (DH) | 5 | Shane Sellers | D. Wayne Lukas | Joe Allen & L. Don Mathis | ||
| 1991 | Sports View | 4 | Craig Perret | D. Wayne Lukas | Barry Beal & D. Wayne Lukas | 1:49.67 |