The Challenger Stakes (Grade 3)- $100.000 Purse
TAM- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
March 9, 2024

The Challenger Stakes had no shortage of big names, including but not limited to, two reigning BC Champions. Berlin was well accomplished, and ordinarily would be one of the headliners in a Grade 3 that ran for a $100.000 purse. His consistency really stood out at me, and he came into the race with 100 SRF’s in five of his last six races. We did slide him into fourth for our picks, which given the opposition here, showed that we certainly believed in his ability. And now, going forward, Berlin will have his third graded win, and they will all be Grade 3’s. The key will be to remember who he really defeated here, because this was a Grade 1 quality field. Berlin is trained by The Sidley Stud, and it is the first win in the Challenger Stakes. The same is true for jockey M Franco. Congratulations to them! The time of the victory was 1:40.77, which would have beaten the old stake record by almost two lengths. Shouldn’t be surprised by that, though. Here’s a look at the race:

(1/4 Mile- :23.30)- The two national capitals in the race break well out of the gate, along with the reigning BC Classic champion. Tehran, from Mb Stables, was a little quicker initially, but it would end up being three wide as they moved into the backstretch. Berlin, the eventual winner from The Sidley Stud, is with them and running on the rail, while Sexy Back runs between horses for Night Rider Stables. Seydoux II, our other BC winner, will stalk the top group for Arindel, and he is length ahead of both Lossupra (Riggins Racing) and Sinamaulu (Delta Farms). After a two length, Jolly Rook (Angelos Stable) and Troublesome Order (Alydar Stables) run evenly, and it’s another length to Calico Jack (Asgar).

(½ Mile- :46.83)- Down the backstretch we go, and Berlin starts to get the better of both Sexy Back and Tehran by pulling a quarter length ahead of him, but certainly you don’t to rule out those other two this early on as they still maintain a good stride. Seydoux II is still a length behind them, and in the middle of the field, Lossupra inches ahead of Sinamaulu a little bit. There’s still a gap of at least two lengths behind them to the remaining three, which sees Jolly Rook ahead of Troublesome Order and Calico Jack.

(Top of Stretch, 1.6F To Go)- Berlin is impressive in the turn as he runs tight to the rail and puts more distance between and Sexy Back and Tehran. Those are two quality horses, making Berlin’s handling of the turn seem formidable. Seydoux II looks to move forward, and heads to the inside of Sexy Back, so he may still have something for our race leader. Nonetheless, he still needs to make up a length and a half. Meanwhile, Lossupra was trying to maintain his position though starting to struggle with that, and Sinamaulu was cooked at this point. Jolly Rook really had not made up much ground yet, nor did Troublesome Order. Calico Jack was still at the back.

(Finish- 1:40.77)- Early in the stretch, it didn’t seem like Berlin would be caught, but Seydoux II was not going to give in. He made up the most ground in the closing moments of the stretch and got close enough to make the stewards need to double check a photo before posting the winner. It would be Berlin, by a head over Seydoux II, with Jolly Rook waiting too long to get moving to threaten for the win, but it still ends third. Calico Jack came to life late but is another who needed to start his run sooner. It’s not all for not, as he will cash a fourth-place check. Troublesome Order and Tehran officially dead heat for fifth and breaking out the concerned fans for Sexy Back as he struggled considerably in the stretch here, beating only Lossupra and Sinamaulu.

About The Winner- Berlin, trained by The Sidley Stud, and ridden to victory by M Franco, is a six-year-old gelding by Ginger Haggis and is out of the late Flashy Mach. He was bred by Patterson Stables as a third quarter two-year-old in California and was acquired by The Sidley Stud in March 2023 with a $7.000 claim from Oneonta Racing. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his eighth in 19 starts, his fourth stake win, and third graded win. His career earnings are now $387.620.

Track: Fast
Time: :23¹  :46⁴  1:10³  1:40³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 2 Paid 20.40
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 2 – 3 Paid 152.70

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES