RED TR-Racing’s 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Rich Strike headlines a roster of 25 runners nominated to the 92^nd running of the $300,000 Ben Ali (G3) to be run here Saturday, April 22 going 1 3/16 miles on the main track. 

Trained by Eric Reed, Rich Strike is one of five Ben Ali nominees to have run in the 2022 Kentucky Derby. The others are WSS Racing’s Barber Road (sixth), trained by John Ortiz; Whisper Hill Farm’s Charge It (17th), trained by Todd Pletcher; Peachtree Stable’s Tawny Port (seventh), trained by Brad Cox; and Barry and Joni Butzow’s Zozos (10^th), also trained by Cox. 

In addition to the Derby alums, the Ben Ali also attracted the likes of Lucky Seven Stable’s Rattle N Roll, winner of the 2021 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) for trainer Kenny McPeek; Gary and Mary West’s West Will Power, winner of last fall’s Hagyard Fayette (G2) here for Cox; and Daniel Alonso’s multiple Grade 3 winner Skippylongstocking for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. 

Two other graded stakes are on tap for the third week of the Spring Meet: the 28^th running of the $300,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3) for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the main track on Friday, April 21 and the 38^th running of the $350,000 Elkhorn (G2) for 4-year-olds and up going 1½ miles on the turf on April 22. 

Grade 1 winners A Mo Reay, owned by Hunter Valley Farm and trained by Brad Cox, and Stonestreet Stables’ Pauline’s Pearl, trained by Steve Asmussen, top the 19 nominees to the Baird Doubledogdare. 

Malathaat won last year’s running of the race to kick off her Eclipse Award-winning campaign as champion older dirt female. 

Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s defending champion Channel Maker tops a list of 32 nominations to the Elkhorn. Trained by Bill Mott, Channel Maker is an Eclipse Award winner, a Sovereign Award winner and a four-time Grade 1 winner. The 9-year-old has banked more than $3.7 million in his career.