Ben Ali Stakes

The Ben Ali Stakes is a race for thoroughbred horses run in the Spring of each year at Keeneland. For 4-year-olds and up, it's a Grade III event set at a distance of one mile and one eighth mile on the dirt. In its 78th running in 2008, it offers a purse of $150,000.

According to the official history at Keeneland racetrack, the Ben Ali 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, Pistols and Roses in 1994, and Louis Quatorze took it in 1997.

Winners

Winners since the beginning of the new century are:

* 2008 - Sterwins (John Velazquez)
* 2007 - Jade's Revenge (Kent Desormeaux)
* 2006 - Wanderin Boy (Javier Castellano)
* 2005 - Alumni Hall (Robby Albarado)
* 2004 - Midway Road (Robby Albarado)
* 2003 - Mineshaft (Robby Albarado)
* 2002 - Duckhorn (Jorge F. Chavez)
* 2001 - Broken Vow (Edgar Prado)
* 2000 - Midway Magistrate (Shane Sellers)