Disruptor Defeats Disco Time in GIII Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs

Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Disruptor dug deep in the stretch to repel Brad Cox's heavily favored Disco Time and capture the Grade 3 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on March 7, completing 1 1/16 miles on a fast main track in 1:41.40 and earning $60,000 for connections that include Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm.

The 4-year-old Gun Runner chestnut broke sharply and settled in second behind 109-1 longshot Paynter's Prodigy, who carved out opening fractions of :23.34 and :46.75. Ortiz asked his mount around the far turn, and Disruptor seized command through six furlongs in 1:10.64, pushing the pacesetter aside before the real test arrived.

Disco Time, sent off as the 2-5 post-time favorite and ridden by Flavien Prat, had navigated a slightly awkward break before working his way into contention from third. In the stretch the pair locked horns well clear of the field, and Disco Time narrowed the gap to a head in the late stages. Disruptor found reserves, surged in the final sixteenth, and crossed the wire a length in front. Solo Venturi finished a distant third, 7 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up.

The victory was the first stakes win of any kind for the chestnut colt, who returned $7.60 and posted a 102 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. His lifetime record now stands at three wins from five starts with career earnings of $155,125. The comeback context sharpens the achievement: Disruptor had not run for more than 10 months after finishing 10th in the 2025 Florida Derby before returning to win an allowance optional claiming race going seven furlongs at Tampa on January 31.

Bred in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm and Peter J. Callahan, Disruptor is out of the Speightstown mare Margate Gardens and was purchased by his ownership group for $1.15 million at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Pletcher's barn also counts Big Easy Racing, Titletown Racing, Winners Win, Golconda Stable, Ali Goodrich, and Mark Parkinson among the partners. Gun Runner, standing at Three Chimneys, now claims Disruptor among 36 graded winners, joining a sire list that includes Cyberknife, Gunite, Locked, Sierra Leone, and Taiba.