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 $125,000.

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 miles and the running was on the dirt track.

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

Records Speed record: miles – 1:41.20 – Skippylongstocking (2025) 1 mile – 1:33.79 – Lucky J J (2000)

Margins: 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 Ref2026Disruptor4Irad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherRepole Stable, Spendthrift Farm, Big Easy Racing, Titletown Racing, Winners Win, Golconda Stable, Ali Goodrich & Mark Parkinson miles1:41.40$100,000III2025 Skippylongstocking 6 Tyler Gaffalione Saffie Joseph Jr. Daniel Alonzo miles 1:41.20$95,000III2024 Skippylongstocking 5 Tyler Gaffalione Saffie Joseph Jr. Daniel Alonzo miles 1:43.12$100,000III2023 Skippylongstocking 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Saffie Joseph Jr. Daniel Alonzo miles 1:42.52$100,000III2022 Scalding 4 Javier Castellano Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable & LNJ Foxwoods miles 1:43.53$100,000III2021 Last Judgment 5 Daniel Centeno Michael J. Maker Michael Dubb, Steve Hornstock, Steve, Bethlehem Stables & Nice Guys Stables miles 1:41.98$98,000III2020 Trophy Chaser 4 Paco Lopez Juan Carlos Avila JCA Racing Stable miles 1:42.28$100,000III2019 Flameaway 4 José L. Ortiz Mark E. Casse John C. Oxley miles 1:41.89$100,000 Listed 2018 War Story 6 Irad Ortiz Jr. Jorge Navarro Imaginary Stables & Glen Ellis miles 1:43.43$100,000 2017 Stanford 5 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Stonestreet Stables, Susan Magnier, Michael B. Tabor & Derrick Smith miles 1:41.75$100,000 2016 7 Javier Castellano John C. Servis MarchFore Thoroughbreds miles 1:44.15$100,000 2015 General a Rod 4 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Skychai Racing & Starlight Racing miles 1:42.89$60,000 2014 Tulira Castle 4 Angel Serpa James P. DiVito Curtis C. Green miles 1:43.68$58,800 2013 Flatter This 6 Antonio A. Gallardo Blackacre Farms miles 1:44.90$60,000 2012 Fort Larned 4 Ronald Dale Allen Jr. Ian R. Wilkes Janis R. Whitham miles 1:42.93$60,000 2011 Colizeo 4 Willie Martinez Todd A. Pletcher Wertheimer & Frere miles 1:42.94$60,000 2010 Bold Start 6 Willie Martinez Lawrence E. Carrol miles 1:42.83$51,500 2009 Fierce Wind 4 Daniel Centeno William Phipps Minor Stables miles 1:45.01$65,000 2008 Wayzata Bay 6 Judi A. Hicklin World Thoroughbreds Racing miles 1:44.82$65,000 2007 Istan 5 José C. Ferrer William I. Mott Darpat S.L. Stables miles 1:43.64$65,000 2006 Cherokee Prince 6 Mike Allen Ronald D. Allen Sr. Volar Corporation miles 1:43.13$65,000 2005 Tap Day 4 José A. Vélez Jr. Mark A. Hennig Edward P. Evans miles 1:44.58$65,000 2004 5 Derek C. Bell David H. Hinsley Mike Crowe & Judy Crowe 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 2002 Classic Case 3 T. D. Houghton Mark E. Casse Stonerside Stable 1 mile 1:36.16$50,000 2001 First Spear 3 Todd A. Pletcher Peachtree Stable 1 mile 1:36.56$50,000 Listed 2000 Lucky JJ 3 Pedro A. Rodriguez Richard Ciardullo Sr. 1 mile 1:33.79$45,000 1999 Marquette 3 Jean-Luc Samyn 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 3 Kevin Whitley Marshall Novak Suzanne Gladden & Marshall Novak 7 furlongs 1:24.80$28,050 1992–1996Race not held1991 Lee n Otto 2 Willie Martinez Glenn Wismer Tedford M. Randolph miles 1:49.98 $50,000 Listed 1990 Darian's Reason 2 Eduardo Nunez Schweiger Stables miles 1:47.00 $50,000 1989 Slew of Angels 2 Ricardo Lopez James E. Day Sam Son Farm miles 1:46.00 $50,000 1988 Storm Predictions 2 Steve Gaffalione Luis A. Olivares Three G Stable miles 1:46.60 $50,000 1987 2 Herson A. Sanchez John F. Reading Jerry Cutrona miles 1:45.40 $50,000

Legend:

Notes:

† Cannon Dancer was first past the post but was disqualified and placed second and Strike the Knight declared the winner

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External sites Tampa Bay Downs Media Guide 2021

References