Challenger Stakes


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 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:
Margins:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Notes: