Ben Ali (horse) him to shun the Derby. News traveled in the East Coast horse racing circuits of Haggin's treatment in Louisville, causing many Eastern horsemen to boycott the Kentucky Derby during the 1890s and early 20th century. Bookmakers returned for the 1887 Derby, but the field quality and race profits dropped dramatically over the years until Churchill Downs was facing closure in 1903. Churchill Downs was sold to a syndicate led by Matt Winn in 1903. Ben Ali is reported to have died at around 20 years of age (c. 1903) at Haggin's Rancho del Paso stud in California. Ben Ali (horse)
Ack Ack Handicap (Churchill Downs) Ack Ack Handicap (Churchill Downs) The Ack Ack Handicap is a Grade III race for Thoroughbred horses run annually during the first week of November at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Open to horses aged three and up, it is contested at a distance of 8 furlongs (one mile) on the dirt. Since inception in 1991, the Ack Ack Handicap has been contested at three different distances: The race is named for the great Ack Ack, inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Horse of the Year in 1971, as well as