Claiming Crown At Churchill Downs Offers $1.25 Million In Purse Money

The Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown offers much excitement to Thoroughbred racing. The Breeders Cup and those world championships also are huge days in the sport of kings. Although it is much lesser known and publicized, The Claiming Crown is also one of those very important events on the racing calendar. Hosted by Churchill Downs, this Crown is all about the American Dream and the hard work of the everyday hard-working life in horse racing.

The Claiming Crown Rewards Those That Are The Foundation Of Racing

A definition of the Claiming Crown is necessary before elaborating on the importance of the event. For those that did not realize, all of the Thoroughbred races contested have conditions. This means, in order to enter your horse in a race, they must meet the conditions of the event. For instance, the only condition for the Kentucky Derby is, you must be a three-year old. Other races have much more specific requirements for entry such as, three-year olds and up that have not won two races this year and have started for a claiming price of $12,000 or less. These conditions are written to ensure runners of a competitive nature are matched up so as to level the playing field. To put it in simpler terms, high school football players play against other high schoolers, not junior pro kids, and not NFL players.

One of the focal points of Thoroughbred racing has always been the claiming races. Most all race cards feature these events and these “horse trading” races are one of the foundations of the game. Entering a horse in these type races allows for people to buy and sell proven runners that have made it to the track in the afternoon. For those wishing to purchase, their claim must be filed before the race and before the horse changes ownership a post-race veterinary inspection is required. Many stables are built with these types of runners and as horses win and gain notoriety, they no longer run in these races as owners want to hold on to their more valuable commodities. Also, most of these claiming races do not feature large amounts of purse money for horsemen that are running an entrant for a tag.

Now, the importance of this event called the Claiming Crown. In 1989, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association launched this event with eyes on rewarding those “blue collar” runners and trainers with an opportunity to run in races with much larger purses. Each event will have starter allowance conditions for horses that have run in claiming races, however each race carries at least a $100,000 purse. This event has traditionally traveled to different race tracks over the years, but for the third consecutive year it will be contested at the iconic Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.

“Churchill Downs is thrilled the National HBPA and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association chose to bring the Claiming Crown back to Louisville for the fourth time and third year in a row”, says Darren Rogers, senior director of communications at Churchill Downs Racetrack. “This legendary racetrack and its historic Twin Spires mean so much to so many people in this industry and its extremely meaningful and special for countless owners, trainers, and jockeys to have a chance to compete here for super-charged purses under starter allowance conditions with some of the most competitive blue collar horses from across America.”

Nine Races Featuring $1.25 Million In Purse Money Attracts Large Fields

The Claiming Crown is a huge attraction for horsemen. The opportunity for these claiming horses to run for this type money only happens once a year, and that is at this event. This is a date that is circled on the calendar and runners from all over will descend on Churchill Downs with eyes on the big prize money. The large amounts of purse money and the outstanding racing venue has attracted large fields which equates to big opportunities for horse players.

“Last year’s event at the Downs lured 121 entrants for the eight Claiming Crown races, which equated to a lofty 12.5 entrants per race”, says Darren Rogers, who has been a part of Churchill Downs for over two decades. “Horseplayers appreciate big fields and responded to the diverse fields last year by wagering over $12.8 million on the day. Claiming Crown horses came from 30 different North American race tracks and training facilities and represented 14 different states. Additionally, there were 110 trainers with entries and 54 jockeys named to ride. That is variety and worthy of a true celebration and recognition of the hard-working horses that comprise everyday racing.”

The Claiming Crown will be contested at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on November 14. This Crown begins in race 4 with an expected post time of 2:28 pm eastern time. The richest race in the event will be race 11, The Jewel, which is worth $200,000 and is for three-year-olds and up that have started for a claiming price of $35,000 or less.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com