Ben Ali Stakes
| Class | Grade III |
|---|---|
| Location | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Inaugurated | 1937 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+3⁄16 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-year-olds & up |
| Purse | US$350,000 |
The Ben Ali Stakes is an American race for Thoroughbred horses run annually since 1937 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. Open to 4-year-olds and up, it is currently a Grade 3 event set at a distance of a mile and one eighth on the dirt course. As of 2025 it offers a purse of $350,000.
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 Handicap took place in 1917 at the Lexington Race Course where it was raced through 1932 after which the track closed.[1] It was not run again until the race name was revived at Keeneland in 1937.
Decidedly, the winner of the 1962 Kentucky Derby, won this race in 1963.
Records
Speed records: (Keeneland)
- 1:25.40 - Fulcrum (1960) at 7.0278 furlongs (0.878475 miles)
- 1:41.40 - Decidedly (1963) at 11+1⁄16 mi (9 furlongs; 1,710 m)
- 1:46.63 - Wise Dan (2012) at 1+1⁄8 mi (9 furlongs; 1,811 m)
- 1:56.48 - Rattle N Roll (2023) at 1+3⁄16 mi (10 furlongs; 1,911 m)
Most wins:
- 3 - Knight Counter (1972, 1973, 1974)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 - Don Brumfield (1964, 1972, 1973, 1984, 1988)
- 5 - Javier Castellano (2006, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2022)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 5 - Neil J. Howard (1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2016)
Most wins by an owner:
- 5 - Calumet Farm (1937, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1951)
- 5 - William S. Farish III (1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2016)
Winners
| Year[2] | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
Dist. (Miles) |
Time | Gr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | Count Morse | 4 | Irving Anderson | Frank J. Kearns | Calumet Farm | 11⁄16 M | 1:46.20 | |
| 1938 | Main Man | 4 | Willis F. Ward | Howard C. Hoffman | Jerome B. Respess | 11⁄16 M | 1:45.00 | |
| 1939 | Burning Star | 5 | Warren Yarberry | John J. Greely Jr. | Shandon Farm Stable (Patrick A. & Richard J. Nash) | 11⁄16 M | 1:47.00 | |
| 1940 | Arabs Arrow | 6 | Carrol Bierman | Gilbert Hardy | Louise J. Hickman | 11⁄16 M | 1:48.80 | |
| 1941 | Red Dock | 4 | Albert Bodiou | E. Leigh Cotton | Greentree Stable | 11⁄16 M | 1:46.00 | |
| 1942 | Steel Heels | 6 | James George | Frank P. Letellier | Junius W. Bell | 11⁄16 M | 1:46.40 | |
| 1943 | Aletern | 4 | Johnny Adams | John H. Skirvin | Alwin C. Ernst | 11⁄16 M | 1:46.20 | |
| 1944 | Alquest | 4 | Johnny Adams | John H. Skirvin | Alwin C. Ernst | 11⁄16 M | 1:45.60 | |
| 1945 | Pot O’ Luck | 3 | Douglas Dodson | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 11⁄16 M | 1:46.60 | |
| 1946 | Bull Play | 4 | Robert Campbell | Lee Niles | Walter W. Jones | 11⁄16 M | 1:44.40 | |
| 1947 | Pot O’ Luck | 5 | Douglas Dodson | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 11⁄16 M | 1:44.00 | |
| 1948 | Fervent | 4 | Leroy Pierson | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 11⁄16 M | 1:43.80 | |
| 1949 | Shy Guy | 4 | Conn McCreary | Jack C. Hodgins | Dixiana Farm | 11⁄16 M | 1:45.00 | |
| 1950 | Mount Marcy | 5 | Kenneth Church | Sylvester E. Veitch | Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney | 11⁄16 M | 1:43.80 | |
| 1951 | Wistful | 5 | Douglas Dodson | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 11⁄16 M | 1:45.00 | |
| 1952 | Seaward | 7 | Steve Brooks | Harry Trotsek | Hasty House Farm | 11⁄16 M | 1:45.00 | |
| 1953 | Oil Capitol | 6 | Conn McCreary | Harry Trotsek | Hasty House Farm & Cora Trotsek | 11⁄16 M | 1:44.00 | |
| 1954 | Mister Black | 5 | Johnny Adams | Harry Trotsek | Hasty House Farm | 7.0278 F | 1:27.00 | |
| 1955 | Sea O Erin | 4 | Steve Brooks | Harry Trotsek | Hasty House Farm | 7.0278 F | 1:27.80 | |
| 1956 | Timely Tip | 5 | John L. Rotz | Reid Armstrong | Dr. Alfred Lewis Birch | 7.0278 F | 1:27.80 | |
| 1957 | Star Rover | 5 | John Heckmann | Eddie Anspach | Mrs. Irving Gushen | 7.0278 F | 1:25.60 | |
| 1958 | Safe Message | 4 | Douglas Dodson | Jack C. Hodgins | Dixiana Farm | 7.0278 F | 1:26.40 | |
| 1959 | Greek Chief | 4 | Bill Hartack | Thomas J. Kelly | Michael G. Phipps | 7.0278 F | 1:26.60 | |
| 1960 | Fulcrum | 5 | Steve Brooks | Jack C. Hodgins | Mary V. Fisher | 7.0278 F | 1:25.40 | |
| 1961 | Cactus Tom | 4 | Lawrence Hansman | Thomas H. Stevens Sr. | Natjolee Stable | 7.0278 F | 1:26.80 | |
| 1962 | Run for Nurse | 5 | Steve Brooks | Lee Niles | J. Graham Brown | 7.0278 F | 1:25.60 | |
| 1963 | Decidedly | 4 | James D. Nichols | Horatio Luro | El Peco Ranch | 11⁄16 M | 1:41.40 | |
| 1964 | Copy Chief | 4 | Don Brumfield | S. Bryant Ott | Fourth Estate Stable | 11⁄16 M | 1:42.80 | |
| 1965 | Gallant Romeo | 4 | Kenny Knapp | Willard L. Proctor | J. Graham Brown | 11⁄16 M | 1:42.80 | |
| 1966 | Swift Ruler | 4 | Larry Spraker | Gin L. Collins | Earl Allen | 11⁄16 M | 1:42.80 | |
| 1967 | Francis U. | 4 | Robert Gallimore | Dewey P. Smith | T. Alie & J. E. Grissom | 11⁄16 M | 1:42.60 | |
| 1968 | Miracle Hill | 4 | Robert Gallimore | Dewey P. Smith | T. Alie & J. E. Grissom | 11⁄16 M | 1:42.60 | |
| 1969 | Court Recess | 4 | Eric Guerin | George T. Poole | C. V. Whitney | 11⁄16 M | 1:44.60 | |
| 1970 | Gallant Moment | 6 | Dave Kassen | Jack Long | Circle M Farm (Edward S. Moore) | 11⁄16 M | 1:42.60 | |
| 1971 | Great Mystery | 4 | Phil I. Grimm | Lyle Whiting | B. A. Dario | 11⁄16 M | 1:41.80 | |
| 1972 | Knight Counter | 4 | Don Brumfield | Victor A. Doleski | Robert Huffman | 11⁄16 M | 1:43.40 | |
| 1973 | Knight Counter | 5 | Don Brumfield | Victor A. Doleski | Robert Huffman | 11⁄16 M | 1:43.00 | G3 |
| 1974 | Knight Counter | 6 | Earlie Fires | Victor A. Doleski | Robert Huffman | 11⁄16 M | 1:41.80 | G3 |
| 1975 | Navajo | 5 | James D. Nichols | James O. Keefer | Joe Stevenson & Ray Stump | 11⁄16 M | 1:43.80 | G3 |
| 1976 | My Friend Gus | 4 | Darrel McHargue | Douglas M. Davis Jr. | Patricia Blass | 11⁄16 M | 1:42.60 | G3 |
| 1977 | Honest Pleasure | 4 | Craig Perret | LeRoy Jolley | Bertram R. Firestone | 11⁄16 M | 1:42.40 | G3 |
| 1978 | Prince Majestic | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Dewey P. Smith | Dorothy Dorsett Brown | 11⁄16 M | 1:41.80 | G3 |
| 1979 | Kodiak | 5 | Gerland Gallitano | Harvey L. Vanier | Louis F. Aitken | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.60 | G3 |
| 1980 | Architect | 4 | Carl Lauer | Harvey L. Vanier | Stanley Spencer | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.80 | G3 |
| 1981 | Withholding | 4 | Bernon Sayler | Ronnie G. Warren | Russell Michael Jr. | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.20 | G3 |
| 1982 | Withholding | 5 | Larry Melancon | Ronnie G. Warren | Russell Michael Jr. | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.60 | G3 |
| 1983 | Aspro | 5 | Vincent Bracciale Jr. | Grover G. Delp | Mr. & Mrs. James A. Bayard | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.60 | G3 |
| 1984 | Aspro | 6 | Don Brumfield | Grover G. Delp | Mrs. & Estate of James A. Bayard | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.80 | G3 |
| 1985 | Bello | 4 | Gerland Gallitano | Joseph M. Bollero | Lois Bollero | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.80 | G3 |
| 1986 | Czar Nijinsky | 4 | Herb McCauley | Jack Hofher | Jacquelin & Miguel Torrealba | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.20 | G3 |
| 1987 | Intrusion | 5 | Sandy Hawley | Lee J. Rossi | Carl J. Maggio | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.60 | G3 |
| 1988 | Homebuilder | 4 | Don Brumfield | Woody Stephens | Ryehill Farm (James & Eleanor Ryan) | 11⁄8 M | 1:51.40 | G3 |
| 1989 | Classic Account | 4 | Pat Day | Terry L. Mason | Laura Leigh Stables (Leslie E. Lunsford Jr.) | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.60 | G3 |
| 1990 | Master Speaker | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | Virgil W. Raines | Anderson Fowler | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.00 | G3 |
| 1991 | Sports View | 4 | Craig Perret | D. Wayne Lukas | Barry Beal & D. Wayne Lukas | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.67 | G3 |
| 1992 | Profit Key (DH) | 5 | Shane Sellers | D. Wayne Lukas | Joe Allen & L. Don Mathis | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.55 | G3 |
| 1992 | Loach (DH) | 4 | Patrick Valenzuela | Richard J. Lundy | Allen E. Paulson | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.55 | G3 |
| 1993 | Sunny Sunrise | 6 | Rick Wilson | Bud Delp | Harry Meyerhoff | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.80 | G3 |
| 1994 | Pistols and Roses | 5 | Mike E. Smith | George Gianos | Willis Family Stables Inc. | 11⁄8 M | 1:51.60 | G3 |
| 1995 | Wildly Joyous | 4 | Mickey Walls | James E. Baker | Woodlynn Farm | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.60 | G3 |
| 1996 | Knockadoon | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Anthony Reinstedler | William K. Warren Jr. | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.80 | G3 |
| 1997 | Louis Quatorze | 4 | Pat Day | Nick Zito | William J. Condren et al. | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.60 | G3 |
| 1998 | Storm Broker | 4 | Robby Albarado | James E. Baker | Woodlynn Farm | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.20 | G3 |
| 1999 | Jazz Club | 4 | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III/J. Jamail | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.00 | G3 |
| 2000 | Midway Magistrate | 6 | Shane Sellers | Rick Hiles | BMH Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.00 | G3 |
| 2001 | Broken Vow | 4 | Edgar Prado | H. Graham Motion | Pin Oak Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.47 | G3 |
| 2002 | Duckhorn | 5 | Jorge F. Chavez | Patrick B. Byrne | Michael B. Tabor | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.18 | G3 |
| 2003 | Mineshaft | 4 | Robby Albarado | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III et al. | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.52 | G3 |
| 2004 | Midway Road | 4 | Robby Albarado | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III | 11⁄8 M | 1:46.78 | G3 |
| 2005 | Alumni Hall | 6 | Robby Albarado | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III | 11⁄8 M | 1:51.29 | G3 |
| 2006 | Wanderin Boy | 5 | Javier Castellano | Nick Zito | Arthur B. Hancock III | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.18 | G3 |
| 2007 | Jade's Revenge | 4 | Kent Desormeaux | H. Graham Motion | Bushwood Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.93 | G3 |
| 2008 | Sterwins | 5 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Malcolm Pierce | Melnyk Racing | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.53 | G3 |
| 2009 | Parading | 6 | Kent Desormeaux | C. R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:47.82 | G3 |
| 2010 | Dubious Miss | 6 | Calvin Borel | Paul McGee | David P. Holloway | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.60 | G3 |
| 2011 | Exhi | 4 | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | Wertheimer et Frere | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.14 | G3 |
| 2012 | Wise Dan | 5 | John Velazquez | Charles Lopresti | Morton Fink | 11⁄8 M | 1:46.63 | G3 |
| 2013 | Successful Dan | 6 | Joel Rosario | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:51.14 | G3 |
| 2014 | Frac Daddy | 4 | Alan Garcia | Kenneth G. McPeek | Magic City Thoroughbreds | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.61 | G3 |
| 2015 | Protonico | 4 | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | Sumaya U.S. Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.79 | G3 |
| 2016 | Eagle | 4 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.57 | G3 |
| 2017 | Watershed | 5 | Paco Lopez | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Godolphin Racing, LLC | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.92 | G3 |
| 2018 | Rated R Superstar | 5 | Javier Castellano | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Radar Racing LLC | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.31 | G3 |
| 2019 | Bourbon Resolution | 4 | Chris Landeros | Ian R. Wilkes | Bourbon Lane Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.82 | G3 |
| 2020 | Race not held | |||||||
| 2021 | Sliver Dust | 5 | Adam Beschizza | W. Bret Calhoun | Tom R. Durant | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.21 | G3 |
| 2022 | Scalding | 4 | Javier Castellano | Claude R. McGaughey III | Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable & LNJ Foxwoods | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.30 | G3 |
| 2023 | Rattle N Roll | 4 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth G. McPeek | Lucky Seven Stable (Ginny & Leo Mackin) | 13⁄16 M | 1:56.48 | G3 |
| 2024 | Kingsbarns | 4 | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | Spendthrift Farm | 13⁄16 M | 1:57.74 | G3 |
| 2025 | Tennessee Lamb | 4 | José Ortiz | George R. Arnold II | Calumet Farm | 13⁄16 M | 1:59.00 | G3 |
External links
References
- ^ "Tim Talbott, "Keeneland", ExploreKYHistory". Kentucky Historical Society. 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
- ^ "Keeneland Media Guide". Keeneland.com. Retrieved 9 June 2025.