Disruptor prevailed over post-time favorite Disco Time to win the $100,000 Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Disruptor broke sharply and raced in the second position off longshot pacesetter Paynter's Prodigy, who set opening splits of :23.34 and :46.75. Around the far turn under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., he gained the lead through 6 furlongs in 1:10.64 and put away the pacesetter. In the stretch, he was confronted by Disco Time to his outside and the pair raced head-to-head well clear of the rest of the competition. In upper stretch, Disruptor continued to dig in and began to pull away from his rival. He won his first stakes by a length on the wire over Disco Time, who had a bit of an awkward start. Solo Venturi finished third, 7 1/2 lengths behind Disco Time.
Disruptor ($7.60) completed the 1 1/16 miles on a fast main track in a swift final time of 1:41.40.
Owned by Repole Stable, Spendthrift Farm, Big Easy Racing, Titletown Racing, Winners Win, Golconda Stable, Ali Goodrich, and Mark Parkinson, the 4-year-old son of Gun Runner is now 2-for-2 this year. He won a Jan. 31 allowance optional claiming race at Tampa in his first start since an off-the-board finish in the 2025 Florida Derby (G1).
Bred in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm and Peter Callahan, Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm purchased him for $1.15 million at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale out of the Runnymede consignment. He is the third graded stakes winner this year for Gun Runner, who stands at Three Chimneys Farm for a $250,000 fee.
Video: Michelob Ultra Challenger S. (G3)
Dandona Scores in Florida Oaks
A few hours later, Dandona ran down all her competition the Florida Oaks (G3T) for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
At odds of 5-1, the 3-year-old daughter of Tiz the Law broke under jockey Flavien Prat and settled at the back of the field. She continued to race there down the backstretch, while pacesetter Bramble Blast set opening fractions in :23.40 and :48.05. Still in ninth entering the far turn, Dandona began to close in on the leaders as post-time favorite Kokomotion took over through 6 furlongs in 1:13.15. Circling the field on the outside, Dandona stormed down the middle of the stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths.
Tagermeen Racing's Dandona ($13) covered the 1 1/16 miles on good turf in a final time of 1:44.71. Time to Dream finished second, and post-time favorite Kokomotion settled for third after moving to the lead on the far turn.
Bred in Kentucky by Spotted Pony Stables, Dandona was purchased by Mahmud Mouni for $1.05 million at the 2025 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training out of the Kings Equine consignment.
