2008 Keeneland Week 3

Sunday's feature was the $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes (G3) for older horses going 1 1/8 miles on the main track. It's a Bird set the early pace of 24.23, 48.30, and 1:11.93 while as many as 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Prince of Wales Stakes winner Leonnatus Anteas who stalked him in second. Sterwins, the longest shot on the board, had raced at the back of the field early but came out 4 wide into the stretch to circle the field, taking over the lead at the 1/8 pole and drawing away to win by 3 1/4 lengths over favorite Go Between. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Sir Whimsey in third.

Winning jockey Shaun Bridgmohan said, "He's one of those horses that always makes a nice run at the end. Thanks to Malcolm (trainer Pierce) he told me to get him to the outside when I go to make that move, and it made all the difference in the world."
Results chart