Challenger Stakes Explained

Surface:Dirt
Class:Grade III
Horse Race:Challenger Stakes
Inaugurated:1987
Race Type:Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance: miles
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 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[1] 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.[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 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 miles and the running was on the dirt track.[2]

In 2020 the event was upgraded to a Grade III event.

Records

Speed record:

Margins:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
align=center 2024Skippylongstocking align=center 5Tyler GaffalioneSaffie Joseph Jr.Daniel Alonzoalign=center milesalign=center 1:43.12align=center $100,000align=center III[3]
align=center 2023Skippylongstocking align=center 4Irad Ortiz Jr.Saffie Joseph Jr.Daniel Alonzoalign=center milesalign=center 1:42.52align=center $100,000align=center III[4]
align=center 2022Scalding align=center 4Javier CastellanoGrandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable & LNJ Foxwoodsalign=center milesalign=center 1:43.53align=center $100,000align=center III[5]
align=center 2021Last Judgment align=center 5Daniel CentenoMichael J. MakerMichael Dubb, Steve Hornstock, Steve, Bethlehem Stables & Nice Guys Stablesalign=center milesalign=center 1:41.98align=center $98,000align=center III[6]
align=center 2020Trophy Chaseralign=center 4Paco LopezJuan Carlos AvilaJCA Racing Stablealign=center milesalign=center 1:42.28align=center $100,000align=center III[7]
align=center 2019Flameawayalign=center 4José L. OrtizMark E. CasseJohn C. Oxleyalign=center milesalign=center 1:41.89align=center $100,000align=center Listed [8]
align=center 2018War Storyalign=center 6Irad Ortiz Jr.Jorge NavarroImaginary Stables & Glen Ellisalign=center milesalign=center 1:43.43align=center $100,000align=center [9]
align=center 2017Stanfordalign=center 5John R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherStonestreet Stables, Susan Magnier, Michael B. Tabor & Derrick Smithalign=center milesalign=center 1:41.75align=center $100,000 align=center [10]
align=center 2016align=center 7Javier CastellanoJohn C. ServisMarchFore Thoroughbredsalign=center milesalign=center 1:44.15align=center $100,000align=center [11]
align=center 2015General a Rodalign=center 4John R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherSkychai Racing & Starlight Racingalign=center milesalign=center 1:42.89align=center $60,000align=center [12]
align=center 2014Tulira Castlealign=center 4Angel SerpaJames P. DiVitoCurtis C. Greenalign=center milesalign=center 1:43.68align=center $58,800align=center [13]
align=center 2013Flatter Thisalign=center 6Antonio A. GallardoBlackacre Farmsalign=center milesalign=center 1:44.90align=center $60,000align=center [14]
align=center 2012align=center 4Ronald Dale Allen Jr.Ian R. WilkesJanis R. Whithamalign=center milesalign=center 1:42.93align=center $60,000align=center [15]
align=center 2011Colizeoalign=center 4Willie MartinezTodd A. PletcherWertheimer & Frerealign=center milesalign=center 1:42.94align=center $60,000align=center [16]
align=center 2010Bold Startalign=center 6Willie MartinezLawrence E. Carrolalign=center milesalign=center 1:42.83align=center $51,500align=center [17]
align=center 2009Fierce Windalign=center 4Daniel CentenoWilliam PhippsMinor Stablesalign=center milesalign=center 1:45.01align=center $65,000align=center [18]
align=center 2008Wayzata Bayalign=center 6Judi A. HicklinWorld Thoroughbreds Racingalign=center milesalign=center 1:44.82align=center $65,000align=center [19]
align=center 2007Istanalign=center 5José C. FerrerWilliam I. MottDarpat S.L. Stablesalign=center milesalign=center 1:43.64align=center $65,000align=center [20]
align=center 2006Cherokee Princealign=center 6Mike AllenRonald D. Allen Sr.Volar Corporationalign=center milesalign=center 1:43.13align=center $65,000align=center [21]
align=center 2005Tap Dayalign=center 4José A. Vélez Jr.Mark A. HennigEdward P. Evansalign=center milesalign=center 1:44.58align=center $65,000align=center [22]
align=center 2004align=center 5Derek C. BellDavid H. HinsleyMike Crowe & Judy Crowealign=center milesalign=center 1:44.46align=center $75,000align=center Listed [23]
align=center 2003Admiral Lancealign=center 3Pedro A. RodriguezJames H. LittleJames H. Littlealign=center 1 milealign=center 1:38.58align=center $50,000align=center [24]
align=center 2002Classic Casealign=center 3T. D. HoughtonMark E. CasseStonerside Stablealign=center 1 milealign=center 1:36.16align=center $50,000align=center [25]
align=center 2001First Spearalign=center 3Todd A. PletcherPeachtree Stablealign=center 1 milealign=center 1:36.56align=center $50,000align=center Listed [26]
align=center 2000Lucky JJalign=center 3Pedro A. RodriguezRichard Ciardullo Sr.align=center 1 milealign=center 1:33.79align=center $45,000align=center [27]
align=center 1999Marquette align=center 3Jean-Luc SamynJ. R. Cavanaughalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:35.15align=center $33,800align=center [28]
align=center 1998Sejm Runalign=center 3Luis GonzalezJulian CanetHarvey Tenenbaumalign=center 7 furlongsalign=center 1:25.20align=center $33,000align=center [29]
align=center 1997align=center 3Kevin WhitleyMarshall NovakSuzanne Gladden & Marshall Novakalign=center 7 furlongsalign=center 1:24.80align=center $28,050align=center [30]
1992 - 1996Race not held
align=center 1991Lee n Otto align=center 2Willie MartinezGlenn WismerTedford M. Randolphalign=center milesalign=center 1:49.98align=center $50,000align=center Listed [31]
align=center 1990Darian's Reasonalign=center 2Eduardo NunezSchweiger Stables align=center milesalign=center 1:47.00align=center $50,000align=center [32]
align=center 1989Slew of Angelsalign=center 2Ricardo LopezJames E. DaySam Son Farmalign=center milesalign=center 1:46.00align=center $50,000align=center [33]
align=center 1988Storm Predictionsalign=center 2Steve GaffalioneLuis A. OlivaresThree G Stable align=center milesalign=center 1:46.60align=center $50,000align=center [34]
align=center 1987align=center 2Herson A. SanchezJohn F. ReadingJerry Cutrona align=center milesalign=center 1:45.40align=center $50,000align=center [35]
Legend:

Notes:
† Cannon Dancer was first past the post but was disqualified and placed second and Strike the Knight declared the winner[35]

See also

External sites

Tampa Bay Downs Media Guide 2021

Notes and References

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

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