Video of Ben Ali Stretch Run and Post Race Interviews

  

Sterwins made a successful switch from turf to Polytrack Sunday at Keeneland to win the $150,000, Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes for four-year-olds and upward.

 

It was the first start on a surface other than grass since December of 2006 for the five-year-old Canadian-bred son of Runaway Groom. He charged from off the pace to upset heavily favored Go Between.

 

 “He’s always trained good over the Polytrack,” said winning trainer Malcolm Pierce.  “We were just waiting for one of those turf races to get rained off one day, but it just never happened.  We ended up entering him in here and taking a shot.”

 

Last of six in the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile race, Sterwins rallied on the outside under Shaun Bridgmohan, took the lead in midstretch and pulled away by 3 ¼ lengths at the finish.

 

Go Between, who brought a win in the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic and a second in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) into the Ben Ali, took second.  He was 1 ¼ lengths ahead of third-place Sir Whimsey, the winner of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2).

 

Sterwins ran the distance in 1:48.53 on the fast track and paid $28.80, $7.20 and $4 as the 13-1 sixth choice.  Owned by Melnyk Racing Stables, the winner improved his record to six wins in 17 starts and increased his career earnings to $552,726.

 

“He’s one of those horses that always makes a nice run at the end,” said Bridgmohan.  “Thanks to Malcolm; he told me to get him (Sterwins) to the outside when I go to make that move, and it made all the difference in the world.”

 

Go Between, the 1-2 favorite, returned $2.40 and $2.10.  “When that horse (Sterwins) on the outside opened up on him, his resistance just fell through,” said jockey Garrett Gomez.  “But he’s had a couple of tough races and traveled across the country.  So he ran okay.”

 

Sir Whimsey paid $3 to show. Leonnatus Anteas, It’s a Bird and Mayan King completed the field.