Challenger Stakes

Challenger Stakes
ClassGrade III
LocationTampa Bay Downs
Oldsmar, Florida
Inaugurated1987
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
Race information
Distance1+1⁄16 miles
SurfaceDirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFour year-olds & older
Weight123 lbs. with allowances
Purse$125,000 (2025)

The Challenger Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses four years old or older over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles on the dirt track in early March at Tampa Bay Downs, Oldsmar, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $125,000.

History

The race was inaugurated in 1987[1] as a late season two-year-old event in the last week of December.[2] For five years between 1992 and 1996 the event was not held.[1]

In 1997 the event was renewed as a three-year-old event and scheduled in February over the shorter distance of 7 furlongs[1] and in 1998 the event received sponsorship from Budweiser[3] which continued until 2007. In 1999 the event was moved to the turf track at a longer distance of one mile.[4]

In 2004 the conditions of the event were changed, in that four-year-olds and older could enter. The distance was extended to the now 1+1⁄16 miles and the running was on the dirt track.[5]

In 2020 the event was upgraded to a Grade III event.[5]

Records

Speed record:

  • 1+1⁄16 miles – 1:41.20 – Skippylongstocking (2025)
  • 1 mile – 1:33.79 – Lucky J J (2000)

Margins:

  • 7+1⁄2 lengths – Darian's Reason (1990)

Most wins by a horse:

  • 3 – Skippylongstocking (2023, 2024, 2025)

Most wins by a jockey:

  • 3 – Willie Martinez (1991, 2010, 2011)
  • 3 - Irad Ortiz Jr. (2018, 2023, 2026)

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

  • 3 – Daniel Alonzo (2023, 2024, 2025)

Winners

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
2026 Disruptor 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable, Spendthrift Farm, Big Easy Racing, Titletown Racing, Winners Win, Golconda Stable, Ali Goodrich & Mark Parkinson 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.40 $100,000 III [6]
2025 Skippylongstocking 6 Tyler Gaffalione Saffie Joseph Jr. Daniel Alonzo 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.20 $95,000 III [7]
2024 Skippylongstocking 5 Tyler Gaffalione Saffie Joseph Jr. Daniel Alonzo 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.12 $100,000 III [8]
2023 Skippylongstocking 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Saffie Joseph Jr. Daniel Alonzo 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.52 $100,000 III [9]
2022 Scalding 4 Javier Castellano Claude R. McGaughey III Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable & LNJ Foxwoods 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.53 $100,000 III [10]
2021 Last Judgment 5 Daniel Centeno Michael J. Maker Michael Dubb, Steve Hornstock, Steve, Bethlehem Stables & Nice Guys Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.98 $98,000 III [11]
2020 Trophy Chaser 4 Paco Lopez Juan Carlos Avila JCA Racing Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.28 $100,000 III [12]
2019 Flameaway 4 José L. Ortiz Mark E. Casse John C. Oxley 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.89 $100,000 Listed [13]
2018 War Story 6 Irad Ortiz Jr. Jorge Navarro Imaginary Stables & Glen Ellis 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.43 $100,000 [14]
2017 Stanford 5 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Stonestreet Stables, Susan Magnier, Michael B. Tabor & Derrick Smith 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.75 $100,000 [15]
2016 Adirondack King 7 Javier Castellano John C. Servis MarchFore Thoroughbreds 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.15 $100,000 [16]
2015 General a Rod 4 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Skychai Racing & Starlight Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.89 $60,000 [17]
2014 Tulira Castle 4 Angel Serpa James P. DiVito Curtis C. Green 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.68 $58,800 [18]
2013 Flatter This 6 Antonio A. Gallardo Kathleen O'Connell Blackacre Farms 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.90 $60,000 [19]
2012 Fort Larned 4 Ronald Dale Allen Jr. Ian R. Wilkes Janis R. Whitham 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.93 $60,000 [20]
2011 Colizeo 4 Willie Martinez Todd A. Pletcher Wertheimer & Frere 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.94 $60,000 [21]
2010 Bold Start 6 Willie Martinez Kenneth G. McPeek Lawrence E. Carrol 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.83 $51,500 [22]
2009 Fierce Wind 4 Daniel Centeno William Phipps Minor Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:45.01 $65,000 [23]
2008 Wayzata Bay 6 Luis Antonio Gonzalez Judi A. Hicklin World Thoroughbreds Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.82 $65,000 [24]
2007 Istan 5 José C. Ferrer William I. Mott Darpat S.L. Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.64 $65,000 [25]
2006 Cherokee Prince 6 Mike Allen Ronald D. Allen Sr. Volar Corporation 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.13 $65,000 [26]
2005 Tap Day 4 José A. Vélez Jr. Mark A. Hennig Edward P. Evans 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.58 $65,000 [27]
2004 Attack the Books 5 Derek C. Bell David H. Hinsley Mike Crowe & Judy Crowe 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.46 $75,000 Listed [28]
2003 Admiral Lance 3 Pedro A. Rodriguez James H. Little James H. Little 1 mile 1:38.58 $50,000 On Turf[29]
2002 Classic Case 3 T. D. Houghton Mark E. Casse Stonerside Stable 1 mile 1:36.16 $50,000 [30]
2001 First Spear 3 Christopher DeCarlo Todd A. Pletcher Peachtree Stable 1 mile 1:36.56 $50,000 Listed [31]
2000 Lucky JJ 3 Pedro A. Rodriguez Richard Ciardullo Jr. Richard Ciardullo Sr. 1 mile 1:33.79 $45,000 [32]
1999 Marquette 3 Jean-Luc Samyn Richard Violette Jr. J. R. Cavanaugh 1 mile 1:35.15 $33,800 [4]
1998 Sejm Run 3 Luis Gonzalez Julian Canet Harvey Tenenbaum 7 furlongs 1:25.20 $33,000 [3]
1997 Favorable Regard 3 Kevin Whitley Marshall Novak Suzanne Gladden & Marshall Novak 7 furlongs 1:24.80 $28,050 [33]
1992–1996 Race not held
1991 Lee n Otto 2 Willie Martinez Glenn Wismer Tedford M. Randolph 1+1⁄16 miles 1:49.98 $50,000 Listed [34]
1990 Darian's Reason 2 Eduardo Nunez Robert J. Richards Jr. Schweiger Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:47.00 $50,000 [35]
1989 Slew of Angels 2 Ricardo Lopez James E. Day Sam Son Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:46.00 $50,000 [36]
1988 Storm Predictions 2 Steve Gaffalione Luis A. Olivares Three G Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:46.60 $50,000 [37]
1987 † Strike the Knight 2 Herson A. Sanchez John F. Reading Jerry Cutrona 1+1⁄16 miles 1:45.40 $50,000 [2]

Legend:
  Dirt   Turf
Notes:
† Cannon Dancer was first past the post but was disqualified and placed second and Strike the Knight declared the winner[2]

See also

External sites

Tampa Bay Downs Media Guide 2021[permanent dead link]

References

  1. ^ a b c "CHALLENGER STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Henry, Mike (27 December 1987). "Strike the Knight wins Challenger 1987 Challenger Stakes – (race 9: held 26 December 1987)". The Tampa Tribune. p. 37. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b "1998 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 31 January 1998. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b "1999 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 30 January 1999. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Challenger Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  6. ^ "2026 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 - (Race 4)". Equibase. 7 March 2026. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  7. ^ "2025 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 - (Race 5)". Equibase. 8 March 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  8. ^ "2024 $100,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  9. ^ "2023 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  10. ^ "2022 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  11. ^ "2021 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  12. ^ "2020 Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  13. ^ "2019 Challenger Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  14. ^ "2018 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  15. ^ "2017 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  16. ^ "2016 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 3)". Equibase. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  17. ^ "2015 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  18. ^ "2014 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  19. ^ "2013 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  20. ^ "2012 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  21. ^ "2011 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  22. ^ "2010 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 7)". Equibase. 6 March 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  23. ^ "2009 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 7)". Equibase. 7 March 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  24. ^ "2008 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 8 March 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  25. ^ "2007 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  26. ^ "2006 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 March 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  27. ^ "2005 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 7)". Equibase. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  28. ^ "2004 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 6 March 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  29. ^ "2003 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 22 March 2003. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  30. ^ "2002 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 23 March 2002. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  31. ^ "2001 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Listed – (race 11)". Equibase. 10 February 2001. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  32. ^ "2000 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 12 February 2000. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  33. ^ "1997 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 1 February 1997. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  34. ^ "1991 Challenger Stakes – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 December 1991. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  35. ^ Henry, Mike (30 December 1990). "Darian's Reason romps to Challenger win 1990 Challenger Stakes – (race 10: held 29 December 1990)". The Tampa Tribune. p. 51. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  36. ^ "Slew of Angels captures $50,000 race in Oldsmar 1989 Challenger Stakes – (race 10: held 30 December 1989)". Tampa Bay Times. 31 December 1989. p. 34. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  37. ^ Henry, Mike (1 January 1989). "Storm Predictions captures Challenger race by 1 length 1988 Challenger Stakes – (race 10: held 31 December 1988)". The Tampa Tribune. p. 48. Retrieved 20 May 2020.

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