Challenger Stakes
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Oldsmar, Florida
| Class | Grade III |
|---|---|
| Location | Tampa Bay Downs Oldsmar, Florida |
| Inaugurated | 1987 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄16 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four year-olds & older |
| Weight | 123 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.
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]
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:
- 5 – Todd A. Pletcher (2001, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2026)
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]