Protonico Carries High Weight in Ben Ali
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Sumaya U.S. Stables' Protonico, winner of the Discovery Handicap (gr. III) and runner-up in the Clark Handicap (gr. I) to close 2014, will carry top weight of 120 pounds in a field of six entered for the 85th running of the $150,000 Ben Ali (gr. III) at Keeneland April 11.
For older horses going 1 1/8 miles on the main track, the Ben Ali will go as the fifth race Saturday afternoon with a post time of 2:38 p.m. ET.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, who won the race in 2011 with Exhi , Protonico was eased in his most recent start in the Donn Handicap (gr. I) Feb. 7 at Gulfstream Park. Since arriving at Keeneland, the 4-year-old son of Giant's Causeway worked a half-mile in :47 1/5 April 5, the fastest of 86 times at the distance on the day.
Javier Castellano, a two-time Ben Ali winner, has the mount on Protonico from Post 5.
The lone grade I winner in the race is Magic City Thoroughbred Partners' Golden Ticket, who dead-heated for first in the 2012 Travers (gr. I) with Alpha for trainer Ken McPeek. Third in the Razorback (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park in his 2015 debut, the 6-year-old Speightstown runner will break from post 4 under Joel Rosario.
Neck 'n Neck, Ami's Holiday, Farhaan, and Irish You Well complete the field.
Ben Ali S. (gr. III)
Keeneland, Saturday, April 11, 2015, Race 5
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $150,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 2:38 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Weight | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neck 'n Neck (KY) | Julien R. Leparoux | 118 | Ian R. Wilkes |
| 2 | Ami's Holiday (ON) | Robby Albarado | 118 | Josie Carroll |
| 3 | Farhaan (KY) | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 118 | Kiaran P. McLaughlin |
| 4 | Golden Ticket (KY) | Joel Rosario | 118 | Kenneth G. McPeek |
| 5 | Protonico (KY) | Javier Castellano | 120 | Todd A. Pletcher |
| 6 | Irish You Well (KY) | Joe Bravo | 118 | Wayne M. Catalano |