Ben Ali Handicap
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| Class | Discontinued stakes |
|---|---|
| Location | Lexington Race Course |
| Inaugurated | 1917 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 5.75 furlongs |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three years old and up |
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).
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 national 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.