Alumni Hall Defends Title

Alumni Hall, who is a Keeneland specialist, is back to defend his title in the $150,000 Ben Ali today.

Owned by a partnership and trained by Neil Howard, Alumni Hall, a 7-year-old son of A.P. Indy, has won four of five at Keeneland and is nine for 22 overall. He won the Ali, a Grade III at 1 1/8 miles, by two lengths in 2005.

Robby Albarado, the chestnut’s regular rider, has the call again today versus Noble Causeway, Cosmonaut, It’s No Joke, Palladio and Wanderin Boy.

Owned by Flying Zee Stable and trained by Patrick Biancone, Cosmonaut is fresh off the first main track win of his career. He won the Golden Gate Fields Handicap by 4 1/4 lengths on March 25. He will be ridden by Julien Leparoux, the apprentice who is on his way to winning the Keeneland riding title. The meet concludes Friday, the day before Churchill Downs begins its spring-summer season.

Besides Cosmonaut, Wanderin Boy is the only member of the field coming off a victory. He won an allowance race by 10 lengths on April 7 and is two for two at Keeneland. Javier Castellano will ride the 5-year-old Seeking The Gold horse for owner-breeder Arthur Hancock and trainer Nick Zito.

Race of the day: Julep Cup, who has won two of her last three for trainer Bob Baffert, will try two turns and turf for the first time when she takes on seven other 3-year-old fillies in the seventh race today at Hollywood Park. Tyler Baze will ride the daughter of Silver Charm for the first time.

One for the road: Aristo will make her first start on the turf against New York breds and should be hard to handle after facing better at Gulfstream Park in the fourth race today at Aqueduct.

Eibar Coa will ride the 3-year-old daughter of Adcat in the $42,000 contest at 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Bernina Beauty, Carson City Sand and Sylvana in the third; Whatzzup Baby in the fourth; and True And True, Eo Po Too Too Jazznwithcandy and Storm Hearted in the fifth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/2. Money: (previous day/meet total): $12/$12. Total money bet: $16.