Challenger Stakes

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Challenger Stakes
Grade III race
Location Tampa Bay Downs
Oldsmar, Florida
Inaugurated1987
Race type ThoroughbredFlat racing
Race information
Distance1+116 miles
SurfaceDirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFour year-olds & older
Weight123 lbs. with allowances
Purse$100,000 (2020)

The Challenger Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses four years old or older over a distance of 1+116 miles on the dirt track in early March at Tampa Bay Downs, Oldsmar, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $100,000.

Contents

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+116 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:

Margins:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
2024Skippylongstocking5 Tyler Gaffalione Saffie Joseph Jr.Daniel Alonzo1+116 miles1:43.12$100,000III [6]
2023Skippylongstocking4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Saffie Joseph Jr.Daniel Alonzo1+116 miles1:42.52$100,000III [7]
2022Scalding4 Javier Castellano Claude R. McGaughey III Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable & LNJ Foxwoods1+116 miles1:43.53$100,000III [8]
2021Last Judgment5Daniel Centeno Michael J. Maker Michael Dubb, Steve Hornstock, Steve, Bethlehem Stables & Nice Guys Stables1+116 miles1:41.98$98,000III [9]
2020Trophy Chaser4 Paco Lopez Juan Carlos AvilaJCA Racing Stable1+116 miles1:42.28$100,000III [10]
2019Flameaway4 José L. Ortiz Mark E. Casse John C. Oxley 1+116 miles1:41.89$100,000Listed [11]
2018War Story6 Irad Ortiz Jr. Jorge NavarroImaginary Stables & Glen Ellis1+116 miles1:43.43$100,000 [12]
2017Stanford5 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Stonestreet Stables, Susan Magnier, Michael B. Tabor & Derrick Smith1+116 miles1:41.75$100,000 [13]
2016Adirondack King7 Javier Castellano John C. Servis MarchFore Thoroughbreds1+116 miles1:44.15$100,000 [14]
2015General a Rod4 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Skychai Racing & Starlight Racing1+116 miles1:42.89$60,000 [15]
2014Tulira Castle4Angel SerpaJames P. DiVitoCurtis C. Green1+116 miles1:43.68$58,800 [16]
2013Flatter This6Antonio A. GallardoKathleen O'ConnellBlackacre Farms1+116 miles1:44.90$60,000 [17]
2012 Fort Larned 4Ronald Dale Allen Jr. Ian R. Wilkes Janis R. Whitham1+116 miles1:42.93$60,000 [18]
2011Colizeo4 Willie Martinez Todd A. Pletcher Wertheimer & Frere1+116 miles1:42.94$60,000 [19]
2010Bold Start6 Willie Martinez Kenneth G. McPeek Lawrence E. Carrol1+116 miles1:42.83$51,500 [20]
2009Fierce Wind4Daniel CentenoWilliam PhippsMinor Stables1+116 miles1:45.01$65,000 [21]
2008Wayzata Bay6Luis Antonio GonzalezJudi A. HicklinWorld Thoroughbreds Racing1+116 miles1:44.82$65,000 [22]
2007Istan5 José C. Ferrer William I. Mott Darpat S.L. Stables1+116 miles1:43.64$65,000 [23]
2006Cherokee Prince6Mike AllenRonald D. Allen Sr.Volar Corporation1+116 miles1:43.13$65,000 [24]
2005Tap Day4 José A. Vélez Jr. Mark A. Hennig Edward P. Evans1+116 miles1:44.58$65,000 [25]
2004Attack the Books5Derek C. BellDavid H. HinsleyMike Crowe & Judy Crowe1+116 miles1:44.46$75,000Listed [26]
2003Admiral Lance3Pedro A. RodriguezJames H. LittleJames H. Little1 mile1:38.58$50,000On Turf [27]
2002Classic Case3T. D. Houghton Mark E. Casse Stonerside Stable1 mile1:36.16$50,000 [28]
2001First Spear3Christopher DeCarlo Todd A. Pletcher Peachtree Stable1 mile1:36.56$50,000Listed [29]
2000Lucky JJ3Pedro A. RodriguezRichard Ciardullo Jr.Richard Ciardullo Sr.1 mile1:33.79$45,000 [30]
1999Marquette3 Jean-Luc Samyn Richard Violette Jr.J. R. Cavanaugh1 mile1:35.15$33,800 [4]
1998Sejm Run3Luis GonzalezJulian CanetHarvey Tenenbaum7 furlongs1:25.20$33,000 [3]
1997Favorable Regard3Kevin WhitleyMarshall NovakSuzanne Gladden & Marshall Novak7 furlongs1:24.80$28,050 [31]
19921996Race not held
1991Lee n Otto2 Willie Martinez Glenn WismerTedford M. Randolph1+116 miles1:49.98$50,000Listed [32]
1990Darian's Reason2Eduardo NunezRobert J. Richards Jr.Schweiger Stables1+116 miles1:47.00$50,000 [33]
1989Slew of Angels2Ricardo LopezJames E. DaySam Son Farm1+116 miles1:46.00$50,000 [34]
1988Storm Predictions2Steve GaffalioneLuis A. OlivaresThree G Stable1+116 miles1:46.60$50,000 [35]
1987† Strike the Knight2Herson A. SanchezJohn F. ReadingJerry Cutrona1+116 miles1:45.40$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 ]

Related Research Articles

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References

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  2. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "1998 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 31 January 1998. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  4. 1 2 "1999 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 30 January 1999. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Challenger Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  6. "2024 $100,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  7. "2023 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  8. "2022 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  9. "2021 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
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  13. "2017 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  14. "2016 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 3)". Equibase. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
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  24. "2006 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 March 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
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  27. "2003 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 22 March 2003. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  28. "2002 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 23 March 2002. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  29. "2001 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Listed – (race 11)". Equibase. 10 February 2001. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
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  31. "1997 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 1 February 1997. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  32. "1991 Challenger Stakes – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 December 1991. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
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  34. "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.
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