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.
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.
Speed record:
Margins:
Most wins by a horse:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner:
Legend: <br/>
<br/> Notes: <br/> â Cannon Dancer was first past the post but was disqualified and placed second and Strike the Knight declared the winner
Tampa Bay Downs Media Guide 2021