Expert Pick of the Week: 2024 Ben Ali Stakes

Apr 17, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A talented field of nine will travel 1 3/16 miles on the Keeneland main surface in Saturday’s $300,000 Ben Ali S. (G3). Millionaire Smile Happy has not been especially sharp from two starts this campaign, but he seems set for a major move forward returning to an oval that he has performed well on in both of his prior engagements.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, the five-year-old was a clear second in the 2022 Blue Grass S. (G1) in his most recent effort at this locale. When he’s right, the five-year-old can run with most horses in training. The dark bay son of Runhappy ran arguably his most impressive race last May when a fantastic winner of the Alysheba S. (G2) at Churchill Downs, and something resembling that performance will make him difficult to knock off in this race.

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Smile Happy has been known for being a handful in the mornings and before his races, but he will run as a gelding for the first time, and I expect him to be much more professional in the minutes leading up to the contest. Brian Hernandez Jr. retains the mount aboard the $185,000 yearling purchase.

Todd Pletcher has a pair of contenders for the event, led by 2023 Louisiana Derby (G2) victor Kingsbarns. The four-year-old son of Uncle Mo has been first or second in all but one lifetime showing to date, and the colt was also a smart allowance winner at Gulfstream Park off a long layoff last time out.

Kingsbarns doesn’t need the lead to win, but he does possess excellent natural speed and I envision him always being close from the start on the move to this extended distance. His five works in anticipation of his local debut have been strong and he rates a big chance if he runs to his drills. Luis Saez has ridden the bay in three of his six career tries to date and will be in the stirrups once again.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #3 Smile Happy on top of #4 Kingsbarns in the 2024 Ben Ali Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.