The annual Claiming Crown began in 1999 at Canterbury Park. While the purses were much more modest, the intentions were the same: to create a day of racing that would attract national attention and celebrate the claiming horses and their owners that daily supply the majority of the product for this sport. This rendition, the 18th, will be held at Gulfstream Park for the fifth consecutive year. Post time on Saturday, Dec. 3 is 11 AM central.
“We appreciate the participation of all the horsemen and we’re delighted to be hosting this great event for a fifth consecutive year,” said P.J. Campo, Gulfstream’s General Manager and The Stronach Group’s Vice President of Racing. “The Claiming Crown is the first of several major events we will play host to at Gulfstream this winter, including the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, $1 million Florida Derby, the Eclipse Awards and Sunshine Millions. The Claiming Crown is a great way for everyone in Thoroughbred racing to kick off the Championship Meet.”
The nine Claiming Crown races attracted 279 nominations. Entries will be taken Wednesday.
Previous hosts for the event include Ellis Park, Parx, and Fair Grounds. Total handle for the Claiming Crown the past two seasons at Gulfstream has exceeded $10 million.
