Skippylongstocking Goes Back to Back in Challenger

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/09/2024 - 10:36
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Skippylongstocking Goes Back to Back in Challenger
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Photo: SV Photography
Skippylongstocking repeats in the Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs

After being cautiously pulled up during the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park when suspected of overheating, Daniel Alonso's millionaire Skippylongstocking  bounced back March 9 by winning the Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs for the second consecutive year.

Always comfortable under Tyler Gaffalione in the first stakes race on Tampa Bay Derby Day, Skippylongstocking tracked longshot leader Impacto  in the 1 1/16-mile race behind splits of :23.80, :46.94, and 1:10.93. Going after Impacto late on the second turn, shortly after the six-furlong stage in the Challenger, he took command, opened up a clear lead, and was never threatened on his way to a 2 1/2-length victory over Sherlock's Jewel .

He finished in 1:43.12, .60 of a second slower than his time in 2023. He paid $3.40 to win.

Stalker Sherlock's Jewel tried to keep up with Skippylongstocking's bid on the second turn before flattening late, though had enough to last for second by a neck over rallying show finisher Mbagnick .

Pedigree, Most Recent Sale

  • Bred in Kentucky by Brushy Hill out of the out of the War Chant  mare Twinkling , Skippylongstocking was a $37,000 purchase by his owner in 2021 from the Top Line Sales consignment to the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.
  • He is a 5-year-old son of 2016 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Exaggerator , who stands for $5,000 at Elite Thoroughbreds in Louisiana.

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