Flameaway, Solomini Enter Ben Ali Off March Wins

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Flameaway, Solomini Enter Ben Ali Off March Wins
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Flameaway at Keeneland

A pair of Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) runners from last season are scheduled to meet again April 13 at Keeneland when Flameaway and Solomini start in the $200,000 Ben Ali Stakes (G3).

Flameaway and Solomini, the top two morning-line choices at 3-1 and 7-2, respectively, enter Saturday's 1 1/8-mile test for older horses off March victories.

For John Oxley's Flameaway, that recent score came in the March 9 Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs after the Scat Daddy colt finished third in his seasonal debut Feb. 16 in the Mineshaft Handicap (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Trained by Mark Casse, Flameaway has raced well in his two Keeneland efforts, winning an off-the-turf edition of the Dixiana Bourbon Stakes (G3) as a juvenile and finishing second to Good Magic  in last year's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2).

Solomini, a son of Curlin  campaigned by Zayat Stables and Coolmore-affiliated owners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, rallied from fifth to post a clear victory in an allowance optional-claiming race March 3 at Santa Anita Park. That followed a seasonal debut in which Solomini finished third in an allowance race at the Southern California track.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Solomini finished first but was disqualified to third in the Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity (G1) as a juvenile and placed third in the 2018 Arkansas Derby (G1). The Ben Ali will be Solomini's first start at Keeneland.

The expected field of 11 also includes Nun the Less, who since December has won a pair of stakes at Turfway Park; and Bonus Points, the 2017 Maryland Million Classic Stakes winner. The field also includes 2017 Kentucky Derby starter Hence, a two-time grade 3 winner.


Entries: Ben Ali S. (G3)

Keeneland, Saturday, April 13, 2019, Race 7

  • Grade III
  • 1 1/8m
  • Dirt
  • $200,000
  • 4 yo's & up
  • 4:24 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Just Whistle (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Tyler Gaffalione 118 Michael R. Matz 15/1
2 2Krewe Chief (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Gabriel Saez 118 Michael J. Maker 20/1
3 3Third Day (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Javier Castellano 118 Brian A. Lynch 6/1
4 4Flameaway (ON)Keeneland Sales Graduate Irad Ortiz, Jr. 118 Mark E. Casse 3/1
5 5Hence (KY) Corey J. Lanerie 118 Steven M. Asmussen 8/1
6 6Solomini (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. 118 Bob Baffert 7/2
7 7Noble Commander (FL) Florent Geroux 118 Philip D'Amato 15/1
8 8Bonus Points (MD) John R. Velazquez 118 Todd A. Pletcher 5/1
9 9Bourbon Resolution (KY) Chris Landeros 118 Ian R. Wilkes 12/1
10 10Nun the Less (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Rodney A. Prescott 118 Cipriano Contreras 5/1
11 11First Mondays (MD) Julien R. Leparoux 118 John C. Servis 20/1