Ben Ali Stakes
| Grade III race | |
| Location |
Lexington, Kentucky  |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1917 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-year-olds & up |
| Purse | $200,000 (2016) |
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 mile and one eighth mile on the dirt. In its 87th running in 2017, it currently offers a purse of $200,000.
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 Kentucky Association track in Lexington, and stayed there until 1922. 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
- 1:46.78 Midway Road (2004) (new stakes and track record)
- 1:46.77 Wise Dan (2012) set polytrack record.
Winners since 1993
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Eagle | 4 | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | Neil J. Howard | W.S. Farish | 1:48.57 |
| 2015 | Protonico | 4 | Javier Castellano | Todd 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 Velazquez | Charles Lopresti | Morton Fink | 1:46.63 |
| 2011 | Exhi | 4 | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | Wertheimer et Frere | 1:48.14 |
| 2010 | Dubious Miss | 6 | Calvin Borel | Paul McGee | David P. Holloway | 1:49.60 |
| 2009 | Parading | 6 | Kent Desormeaux | C. R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 1:47.82 |
| 2008 | Sterwins | 5 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Malcom 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 | W. S. Farish/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 |