Ben Ali Stakes

Last updated
Ben Ali Stakes
Grade III race
Location Lexington, Kentucky
Inaugurated1917
Race type ThoroughbredFlat racing
Race information
Distance1+316 miles
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFour-year-olds & up
PurseUS$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.

Contents

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.

Records

Speed record

Margins

Most wins by a jockey

Most wins by a horse trainer

Most wins by an owner

Winners since 1993

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerTime
2024 Kingsbarns 4 Luis Saez Todd A. Pletcher Spendthrift Farm 1:57.74
2023Rattle N Roll4 Brian Hernandez Jr. Kenneth G. McPeek Lucky Seven Stable1:56.48
2022Scalding4 Javier Castellano Claude R. McGaughey III Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable & LNJ Foxwoods1:50.30
2021Sliver Dust5Adam Beschizza W. Bret Calhoun Tom R. Durant1:50.21
Race Not Run
2019Bourbon Resolution4Chris Landeros Ian R. Wilkes Bourbon Lane Stable1:50.82
2018Rated R Superstar5 Javier Castellano Kiaran P. McLaughlin Radar Racing LLC1:49.31
2017Watershed5 Paco Lopez Kiaran P. McLaughlin Godolphin 1:50.92
2016Eagle4 Brian Hernandez Jr. Neil J. Howard William S. Farish III 1:48.57
2015Protonico4 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Sumaya U.S. Stable1:48.79
2014Frac Daddy4 Alan Garcia Kenneth G. McPeek Magic City Thoroughbreds1:49.61
2013Successful Dan6 Joel Rosario Claude R. McGaughey III Phipps Stable 1:51.14
2012 Wise Dan 5 John R. Velazquez Charles LoPresti Morton Fink1:46.63
2011 Exhi 4 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Wertheimer et Frère 1:48.14
2010Dubious Miss6 Calvin Borel Paul McGeeDavid P. Holloway1:49.60
2009 Parading 6 Kent Desormeaux Claude R. McGaughey III Phipps Stable 1:47.82
2008Sterwins5 Shaun Bridgmohan Malcolm Pierce Melnyk Racing 1:48.53
2007Jade's Revenge4 Kent Desormeaux H. Graham Motion Bushwood Stable1:49.93
2006Wanderin Boy5 Javier Castellano Nick Zito Arthur B. Hancock III 1:49.18
2005Alumni Hall6 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
2002Duckhorn5 Jorge F. Chavez Patrick B. Byrne Michael B. Tabor 1:50.18
2001Broken Vow4 Edgar Prado H. Graham Motion Pin Oak Stable 1:48.47
2000Midway Magistrate6 Shane Sellers Rick Hiles BMH Stable1:49.00
1999Jazz Club4 Pat Day Neil J. Howard William S. Farish III & J. Jamail1:48.00
1998Storm Broker4 Robby Albarado James E. Baker Woodlynn Farm1:48.20
1997 Louis Quatorze 4 Pat Day Nick Zito William J. Condren et al.1:49.60
1996Knockadoon4 Jerry Bailey Anthony Reinstedler William K. Warren Jr.1:48.80
1995Wildly Joyous4 Mickey Walls James E. Baker Woodlynn Farm1:49.60
1994Pistols and Roses5 Mike E. Smith George Gianos Willis Family Stables, Inc.1:51.60
1993Sunny Sunrise6 Rick Wilson Bud Delp Harry Meyerhoff 1:48.80
1992Loach (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
1991Sports View4 Craig Perret D. Wayne Lukas Barry Beal & D. Wayne Lukas 1:49.67

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References

  1. "Tim Talbott, "Keeneland", ExploreKYHistory". Kentucky Historical Society. 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-18.