Ben Ali Handicap

The Ben Ali Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horserace run eleven times between 1917 and 1932 at Lexington Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. An important race usually run in April or early May, it was open to horses age three and older of either sex. The race was run on dirt over a distance of 5+3⁄4 furlongs for its final two runnings prior to which it had been contested at 1+1⁄16 miles (8.5 furlongs).

This article is about the horse race at Lexington Race Course known as the Ben Ali Handicap. For another race at Keeneland with a similar name, see Ben Ali Stakes.
Ben Ali Handicap
Discontinued stakes race
LocationKeeneland Race Course
Inaugurated1917
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Race information
Distance5.75 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree years old and up

Historical notes

The Ben Ali Handicap was named for James Ben Ali Haggin, one of America's most prominent owners and breeders, who died in 1914. His horse Ben Ali won the 1886 Kentucky Derby. The most notable winner of the race was Exterminator, the winner of the 1918 Kentucky Derby whose career saw him earn four championships, including American Horse of the Year, plus induction into the United States Racing Hall of Fame.[1][2]

The first edition of the Ben Ali Handicap took place on May 1, 1917 and was won by Colonel Vinnie, an English-bred horse owned by Jefferson Livingston.[3] Between 1923 and 1927 the Ben Ali Handicap was not run. The final edition was held on April 16, 1932 in which Tannery won his second straight Ben Ali Handicap over nine opponents.[4][5]

The Lexington Race Course ceased to conduct racing in 1933.[6] A race of this same name was introduced at Keeneland Race Course in 1937.

Records

Speed record:

  • 1:45 flat @ 11⁄16 miles - Broadside (1929)

Most wins:

  • 2 - Tannery (1931, 1932)

Most wins by a jockey:

  • 2 - Willie Crump (1917, 1929)
  • 2 - Mack Garner (1920, 1922)

Most wins by a trainer:

  • No trainer won this race more than once

Most wins by an owner:

  • No owner won this race more than once

Winners
Year
 Winner
 Age
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Owner
 Dist.
 Time
 Win$
1932 Tannery 5 Gilbert Elston John J. Greely Sr. George Henze 5.75 F 1:10.40 $3,110
1931 Tannery 4 Kenneth Hoffman Auval John Baker Edward F. Prichard 5.75 F 1:09.20 $3,100
1930 Thistle Fyrn 4 Harold Thomas Harry S. Hart George Collins 11⁄16 M 1:46.00 $3,120
1929 Broadside 5 Willie Crump Charles C. Van Meter Lucas B. Combs 11⁄16 M 1:45.00 $3,200
1928 Genial Host 5 Frank Chiavettta Jack McPherson Fair Acre Farm Stable (David T. Matlack) 11⁄16 M 1:47.40 $3,200
1923 - 1927 Race not held
1922 United Verde 4 Mack Garner George V. Barnes Charles W. Clark 11⁄16 M 1:45.60 $3,280
1921 Best Pal 4 Lawrence Lyke Herbert J. Thompson Edward R. Bradley 11⁄16 M 1:46.60 $3,000
1920 General Haig 4 Mack Garner Robert V. McGarvey W. O. Stoner 11⁄16 M 1:50.00 $3,460
1919 Exterminator 4 John Morys Henry McDaniel Willis Sharpe Kilmer 11⁄16 M 1:50.40 $2,615
1918 Opportunity 4 Earl Pool Will Woodward Will Woodward 11⁄16 M 1:53.80 $1,710
1917 Colonel Vennie 4 Willie Crump Mose Goldblatt Jefferson Livingston 11⁄16 M 1:46.00 $1,941

References
  1. "Lexington Form Chart". Daily Racing Form at University of Kentucky Archives. 1919-05-02. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  2. "Exterminator". Racingmuseum.org. 1957-01-01. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  3. "Colonel Vennie A Victor: Takes The Ben Ali Handicap At Lexington In A Strenuous Finish". Daily Racing Form at University of Kentucky Archives. 1917-05-02. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  4. "Tannery Annexes Ben Ali Handicap". The New York Times. 1932-04-17. p. Section Sports, page 6. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  5. "Ben Ali Handicap is Won by Tannery". The New York Times. 1931-04-19. p. Section Sports, page 147. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  6. "Tim Talbott, "Keeneland," ExploreKYHistory". Kentucky Historical Society. 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
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