Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Midway Road, ridden by Robby Albarado, clobbered four rivals Thursday to win the $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland. The victory by the four-year-old was his first in a stakes race. Midway Road easily handled the sloppy track to post a 15 length win over Evening Attire. It was the sixth straight second place finish for Evening Attire. Finishing third in the 1 1/8 mile race was Sir Cherokee, followed by Jersey Giant and American Style. The time for the Ben Ali was 1:46 3/5. Evening Attire was the 1-2 favorite. He was second to Funny Cide at Aqueduct in the Excelsior Handicap in early April. Before that the gray gelding placed second in the John Campbell along with second place finishes in the Aqueduct Handicap and the Queens County. The string of runner-up placings began last November when Evening Attire was disqualified to second after winning the Carter Handicap at Churchill Downs. Midway Road is owned by ambassador William Farish and trained by Neil Howard. The $90,000 winner"s purse pushes his career earnings to more than $415.000. Midway Road has now won four of eleven starts. Midway Road returned $12.20, $3.20 and $2.10. Evening Attire paid $2.20 and $2.10, and Sir Cherokee paid $2.10.
