Skippylongstocking Seeks Three-Peat in Challenger
The new 2025 season remains status quo for Skippylongstocking as the 6-year-old son of Exaggerator targets a three-peat in the $125,000 Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs March 8.
For the third consecutive year, the Challenger will act as Skippylongstocking’s bounce-back race from the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1). However, the Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee exits a much better performance in the Jan. 25 Pegasus this year than he has in years prior, finishing a solid third behind White Abarrio and Locked .
The career earner of more than $3.3 million will start the 1 1/16-mile contest from the far outside in the eight-horse field as he seeks an eighth career graded triumph.
One of his chief competitors will be Gary and Mary West’s Most Wanted , who saw his unbeaten streak snapped at four when defeated three-quarters of a length by Rattle N Roll in the Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs Nov. 29, his first start against elders. The Brad Cox-trained 2024 Oklahoma Derby (G3) winner has been freshened since that effort and has been working steadily at Payson Park Training Center this winter.
O Captain ‘s neck victory at Gulfstream Park Jan. 29 ended a 15-race losing streak. Claimed out of that start for $25,000 by owner JC Racing Stable and trainer Carlos Narvaez, the grade 2-placed son of Carpe Diem aims to keep that momentum going as he returns to the graded ranks for the first time in two years.
Also included in the field are two-time graded stakes winner Instant Coffee , two-time stakes winner Patriot Spirit , and group 1-placed Bendoog .
Entries: Michelob Ultra Challenger S. (G3)
Tampa Bay Downs, Saturday, March 08, 2025, Race 5
- Grade III
- 1 1/16m
- Dirt
- $125,000
- 4 yo’s & up
- 2:21 PM (local)
