The Claiming Crown, inaugurated in 1999, is a series of seven races run under starter allowance conditions, with purses usually ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. It is seen as a ‘’blue collar” Breeders' Cup series for claiming horses. Any claiming horse owner can participate subject to stipulated conditions.
The Claiming Crown, held under the auspices of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, has for much of its existence been run at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota. The track last held the event in 2008. In 2002, the Claiming Crown was held at Philadelphia Park Racetrack. In 2007, it took place at Ellis Park Racecourse in Henderson, Kentucky.
The Claiming Crown returned to Canterbury Park on August 2 of 2008 with new conditions meant to entice more horses to participate. Until 2007, the cut-off for which a horse needed to have run for a certain claiming price to qualify was almost a year in advance of the Claiming Crown series. In 2008, the conditions for entry were similar to those of starter allowance races held at most tracks around the country.
In 2008, the 10th running of the Claiming Crown, the races were for horses that have started for $7,500 to $35,000 in 2007 and 2008. The new conditions shortened the cut-off for eligibility by almost seven months.
Since its inception, the Claiming Crown has been Canterbury Park’s biggest day of racing. At Ellis Park, it set a record for total handle.
On December 3, 2011, the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana hosted the 13th running of the Claiming Crown.
For its 14th running on December 1, 2012, the Claiming Crown was held at Gulfstream Park. To honor these horses, which the industry calls the "backbone of racing", Gulfstream raised the purses of each event to a total of $850,000. The "Crown" took place on Gulfstream's Opening Day. In addition to the six Claiming Crown races conducted at the 2011 event, the Tiara for fillies and mares on the turf returned this year.
Read more about Claiming Crown: The Seven Races
Famous quotes containing the words claiming and/or crown:
“And then, Sir, there is this consideration, that if the abuse be enormous, Nature will rise up, and claiming her original rights, overturn a corrupt political system.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.”
—Bible: New Testament St. John the Divine, in Revelation, 12:1.