Skippylongstocking Leads Joseph's Charge in Challenger

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Skippylongstocking Leads Joseph's Charge in Challenger
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Nicole Thomas
Skippylongstocking wins the 2022 Harlan's Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream Park

Saffie Joseph Jr. enters a pair of contenders in the March 11 $100,000 Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. The 1 1/16-mile contest on dirt is for 4-year-olds and up.

The most well-known of the trainer's entries is Skippylongstocking . Owned by Daniel Alonso, the Exaggerator  colt last ran in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), fading 9 3/4 lengths back to seventh. 

Skippylongstocking had been alternating first-place wins over his last four starts with triumphs in the Harlan's Holiday (G3) and West Virginia Derby (G3), sandwiching a ninth-place effort in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1).

Joseph's other runner, The Reds , is looking to improve upon less-than-desired graded stakes performances. The son of Tonalist  's best finish in a graded stakes was a second in the 2021 Pennine Ridge (G3).

Kenny McPeek trainee Classic Causeway  makes his debut for the year. Owned by Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper, Classic Causeway's speed will provide a test for the other eight in the field. He last ran in the Bryan Station Stakes (G3T) where he led most of the way until he was caught up in a crowd heading down the stretch to run sixth.

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BBN Racing's Trademark  is also making his 2023 debut after ending last year with a pair of victories, including the Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs. The Challenger is his first go in graded stakes company since the Indiana Derby (G3) in July of last year. In that race, the Upstart   gelding finished fourth. 

Also in the field is 2020 and 2021 Sovereign Horse of the Year Mighty Heart , who has run his last two races at Tampa Bay Downs. 

Rounding out the field are Brooklyn Strong , Business Model , Surly Furious , and Tax .


Entries: $100,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger S. (G3)

Tampa Bay Downs, Saturday, March 11, 2023, Race 8

  • Grade III
  • 1 1/16m
  • Dirt
  • $100,000
  • 4 yo's & up
  • 3:33 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Trademark (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Martin Garcia 121 Victoria H. Oliver 6/1
2 2Skippylongstocking (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Irad Ortiz, Jr. 121 Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. 8/5
3 3Mighty Heart (ON) Kevah Nicholls 119 Patrick County, Jr. 15/1
4 4Classic Causeway (KY) Julien R. Leparoux 123 Kenneth G. McPeek 9/2
5 5Surly Furious (KY) Ronald Dale Allen, Jr. 121 Glenn S. Wismer 15/1
6 6The Reds (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Edgard J. Zayas 121 Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. 12/1
7 7Tax (KY) Paco Lopez 121 Danny Gargan 4/1
8 8Business Model (KY) Luis Saez 121 Brendan P. Walsh 6/1
9 9Brooklyn Strong (NY) Samy Camacho 119 Victor Barboza, Jr. 30/1