Tom Durant's veteran Tapit gelding, Silver Dust, emerged from a five-horse blanket finish to win Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes over a sloppy main track at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky. Adam Beschizza was aboard the winner for trainer Bret Calhoun.
Night Ops, the 4-5 favorite, was second, beaten a half-length, with Beau Luminarie third, Sprawl fourth and Treasure Trove rounding out the field of five older runners. A total of three-quarters of a length separated the entire field at the wire.
Silver Dust covered 1 1/8 miles on the sloppy surface in 1:50.21 after fractions of :23.79, :47.63, 1:12.32 and 1:37.28. The third choice in the wagering at 9-2, Silver Dust paid $11.20 to win.
Sprawl jumped out to the early advantage, with Silver Dust just to his outside throughout the running of the Ben Ali. Beau Luminarie and Night Ops were in the second flight with Treasure Trove trailing the field.
Silver Dust poked his head in front rounding the final turn, but Sprawl continued to fight back along the inside. Those two were joined in deep stretch, by Beau Luminarie to Silver Dust's outside and Night Ops and Treasure Trove further to the outside.
The win was the fourth G3 victory for Silver Dust and his seventh win overall from 33 starts. The winner's share moved his career earnings to $975,677.
Silver Dust was bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation. He was produced from the Hard Spun mare, Filare L'Oro.
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