Grade III race | |
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 | $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+1⁄16 miles on the dirt track in early March at Tampa Bay Downs, Oldsmar, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $100,000.
History
The race was inaugurated in 1987 as a late season two-year-old event in the last week of December. For five years between 1992 and 1996 the event was not held.
In 1997 the event was renewed as a three-year-old event and scheduled in February over the shorter distance of 7 furlongs and in 1998 the event received sponsorship from Budweiser which continued until 2007. In 1999 the event was moved to the turf track at a longer distance of one mile.
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.
In 2020 the event was upgraded to a Grade III event.
Records
Speed record:
- 1+1⁄16 miles – 1:41.89 – Flameaway (2019)
- 1 mile – 1:33.79 – Lucky J J (2000)
Margins:
- 7+1⁄2 lengths – Darian's Reason (1990)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 – Willie Martinez (1991, 2010, 2011)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 – Todd A. Pletcher (2001, 2011, 2015, 2017)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 – Daniel Alonzo (2023, 2024)
Winners
Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Skippylongstocking | 5 | Tyler Gaffalione | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Daniel Alonzo | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.12 | $100,000 | III | |
2023 | Skippylongstocking | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Daniel Alonzo | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.52 | $100,000 | III | |
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 | |
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 | |
2020 | Trophy Chaser | 4 | Paco Lopez | Juan Carlos Avila | JCA Racing Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.28 | $100,000 | III | |
2019 | Flameaway | 4 | José L. Ortiz | Mark E. Casse | John C. Oxley | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.89 | $100,000 | Listed | |
2018 | War Story | 6 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Jorge Navarro | Imaginary Stables & Glen Ellis | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.43 | $100,000 | ||
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 | ||
2016 | Adirondack King | 7 | Javier Castellano | John C. Servis | MarchFore Thoroughbreds | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.15 | $100,000 | ||
2015 | General a Rod | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Skychai Racing & Starlight Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.89 | $60,000 | ||
2014 | Tulira Castle | 4 | Angel Serpa | James P. DiVito | Curtis C. Green | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.68 | $58,800 | ||
2013 | Flatter This | 6 | Antonio A. Gallardo | Kathleen O'Connell | Blackacre Farms | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.90 | $60,000 | ||
2012 | Fort Larned | 4 | Ronald Dale Allen Jr. | Ian R. Wilkes | Janis R. Whitham | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.93 | $60,000 | ||
2011 | Colizeo | 4 | Willie Martinez | Todd A. Pletcher | Wertheimer & Frere | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.94 | $60,000 | ||
2010 | Bold Start | 6 | Willie Martinez | Kenneth G. McPeek | Lawrence E. Carrol | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.83 | $51,500 | ||
2009 | Fierce Wind | 4 | Daniel Centeno | William Phipps | Minor Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.01 | $65,000 | ||
2008 | Wayzata Bay | 6 | Luis Antonio Gonzalez | Judi A. Hicklin | World Thoroughbreds Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.82 | $65,000 | ||
2007 | Istan | 5 | José C. Ferrer | William I. Mott | Darpat S.L. Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.64 | $65,000 | ||
2006 | Cherokee Prince | 6 | Mike Allen | Ronald D. Allen Sr. | Volar Corporation | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.13 | $65,000 | ||
2005 | Tap Day | 4 | José A. Vélez Jr. | Mark A. Hennig | Edward P. Evans | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.58 | $65,000 | ||
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 | |
2003 | Admiral Lance | 3 | Pedro A. Rodriguez | James H. Little | James H. Little | 1 mile | 1:38.58 | $50,000 | On Turf | |
2002 | Classic Case | 3 | T. D. Houghton | Mark E. Casse | Stonerside Stable | 1 mile | 1:36.16 | $50,000 | ||
2001 | First Spear | 3 | Christopher DeCarlo | Todd A. Pletcher | Peachtree Stable | 1 mile | 1:36.56 | $50,000 | Listed | |
2000 | Lucky JJ | 3 | Pedro A. Rodriguez | Richard Ciardullo Jr. | Richard Ciardullo Sr. | 1 mile | 1:33.79 | $45,000 | ||
1999 | Marquette | 3 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Richard Violette Jr. | J. R. Cavanaugh | 1 mile | 1:35.15 | $33,800 | ||
1998 | Sejm Run | 3 | Luis Gonzalez | Julian Canet | Harvey Tenenbaum | 7 furlongs | 1:25.20 | $33,000 | ||
1997 | Favorable Regard | 3 | Kevin Whitley | Marshall Novak | Suzanne Gladden & Marshall Novak | 7 furlongs | 1:24.80 | $28,050 | ||
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 | |
1990 | Darian's Reason | 2 | Eduardo Nunez | Robert J. Richards Jr. | Schweiger Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:47.00 | $50,000 | ||
1989 | Slew of Angels | 2 | Ricardo Lopez | James E. Day | Sam Son Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:46.00 | $50,000 | ||
1988 | Storm Predictions | 2 | Steve Gaffalione | Luis A. Olivares | Three G Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:46.60 | $50,000 | ||
1987 | † Strike the Knight | 2 | Herson A. Sanchez | John F. Reading | Jerry Cutrona | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.40 | $50,000 |
Legend:
Dirt
Turf
Notes:
† Cannon Dancer was first past the post but was disqualified and placed second and Strike the Knight declared the winner
See also
External sites
Tampa Bay Downs Media Guide 2021
References
- ^ "CHALLENGER STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "1998 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 31 January 1998. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ "1999 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 30 January 1999. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ "Challenger Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2024 $100,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- "2023 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- "2022 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- "2021 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
- "2020 Challenger Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2019 Challenger Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2018 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2017 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2016 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 3)". Equibase. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2015 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2014 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2013 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2012 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2011 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2010 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 7)". Equibase. 6 March 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2009 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 7)". Equibase. 7 March 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2008 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 8 March 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2007 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2006 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 March 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2005 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 7)". Equibase. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2004 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 6 March 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2003 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 22 March 2003. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2002 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 23 March 2002. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2001 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Listed – (race 11)". Equibase. 10 February 2001. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "2000 Budweiser Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 10)". Equibase. 12 February 2000. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "1997 Challenger Stakes Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 1 February 1997. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "1991 Challenger Stakes – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 December 1991. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- 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.
- "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.
- 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.