Stars and Stripes Tops Bill Mott Exacta in Ben Ali
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Photo: Keeneland Photo
Stars and Stripes defeats stablemate Batten Down in the Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland
Most of the news surrounding Bill Mott’s barn ahead of April 18 centered on the return of reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park. However, the Hall of Famer had more Classic-division horses ready to fire Saturday, 600 miles away, as Stars and Stripes and Batten Down swept the exacta in the $350,000 Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland.
A son of leading sire Not This Time , Stars and Stripes entered Saturday's contest a perfect 3-for-3 in races at 1 1/8 miles. Stretching out to 1 3/16 miles did nothing to lessen his step and became a necessity as it took until the final sixteenth to finally wear down his stablemate and get up for a half-length victory.
Jockey Luis Saez was aboard the Frassetto Stables-owned 4-year-old for the second time after riding him to win against allowance foes at Oaklawn last month. Breaking from the rail, he settled back in fourth as the field entered the backstretch. Batten Down, who was cutting back from a 1 1/2-mile stakes win at Oaklawn, was alone on the lead while posting fractions of :23.93, :48.78, and 1:13.09 on the fast track which was taking some showery weather.
Approaching the far turn, Saez had to wait for space between horses and dropped back to sixth. As they approached the quarter pole, Stars and Stripes was running on for him and entered the stretch four wide. Drawing even with his stablemate a furlong from the wire, he battled and asserted command, finishing in 1:58.34 and paying $5.30 to win. San Siro was third.
Connections celebrate Stars and Stripes' win in the Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland
"Last time when I had the opportunity to ride this horse, he showed that he had a lot of talent," Saez told Keeneland's Scott Hazelton in the winner's circle. "Today, he (took) a big step. I was pretty confident, I knew I had a lot of horse. He's a fighter. He came to the top of the stretch, and he did everything I asked. That was a tough horse to beat, but I was pretty confident when I get close to him."
The victory was a fourth overall in seven lifetime starts for Stars and Stripes, raising his career earnings to $429,533. A $100,000 purchase by Marco Bozzi Bloodstock at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, he showed plenty of early promise winning his first two two-turn starts by a combined 17 3/4 lengths.
Bred in Kentucky by Pam and Martin Wygod, Stars and Stripes is out of the unraced Quality Road mare Pearl River , making him a half brother to 2024 Pucker Up Stakes (G3T) winner Waves of Mischief (Into Mischief ).
Not This Time currently leads all North American sires by progeny earnings for 2026. His now seven graded winners on the year, topped by Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Magnitude and Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) winner Claret Beret . He stands at Taylor Made Stallions for a $250,000 fee in 2026.