The Claiming Crown, inaugurated in 1999, is a series of eight races run under starter allowance conditions with purses ranging from $100,000 to $175,000. The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (National HBPA) and

Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association {{short description, Organization for Thoroughbred racehorse owners and breeders The American Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) based in Lexington, Kentucky is a trade organization for Thoroughbred racehorse owners and breeders. ...

(TOBA) together launched this event in cooperation with the Minnesota HBPA and Canterbury Park. It is seen as a "blue collar”

Breeders' Cup The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Grade I Thoroughbred horse races, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, ...

series for claiming horses. Any claiming horse owner can participate subject to stipulated conditions. The Claiming Crown, held under the auspices of the National HBPA and TOBA , was held at

Canterbury Park Canterbury Park () (formerly Canterbury Downs), is a horse racing track in Shakopee, Minnesota, United States. Canterbury Park Holding Corporation ("Canterbury Park") hosts parimutuel wagering on live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing at ...

Shakopee, Minnesota Shakopee ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Scott County, Minnesota, United States. It is located southwest of Minneapolis. Sited on the south bank bend of the Minnesota River, Shakopee and nearby suburbs comprise the southwest portion of ...

for 10 of its first 12 years of existence. The track last held the event in 2010. In 2002, the Claiming Crown was held at

Philadelphia Park Racetrack Parx Casino and Racing (formerly Philadelphia Park Racetrack and Casino) is a thoroughbred horse racing venue and the largest casino gaming complex in Pennsylvania. Parx is located in Bensalem Township in Bucks County, northeast of the city of P ...

; in 2007, it took place at

Ellis Park Racecourse Ellis Park is a thoroughbred racetrack near Henderson, Kentucky, just south of Evansville, Indiana. It is owned and operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated. While the track is located north of the Ohio River that forms the border between Kentuc ...

; and in 2011 it was held at Fair Grounds. In 2012, the Claiming Crown moved to

Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park, owned by The Stronach Group, is a Thoroughbred race track, casino and outdoor entertainment and shopping destination in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Thoroughbred horse racing occurs year-round, defined by three distinct race meets ...

, where is remained for 10 years. To honor these horses, which the industry calls the "backbone of racing", Gulfstream raised the total purses to $850,000. The following year, total purses hit $1 million for the first time. Gulfstream set several handle records, including the all-time record handle of $14,611,500 set in 2020. During its run at Gulfstream, the names of two races were changed to honor the late Tom Metzen and Kent Stirling, who both made significant contributions to ensure the success of the Claiming Crown. The 2022 Claiming Crown is set to be held on November 12 at

Churchill Downs Churchill Downs is a horse racing complex located on Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, famed for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875 and was named for Samuel Churchill, whose family was ...

, marking the first time the event will be held at the home of the

Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, almost always on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The competition is a Grade I stakes race for three-year ...

The Eight Races

References

{{Reflist

External links

The Claiming Crown’s Official Site

Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
Horse races in the United States Racing series for horses Recurring sporting events established in 1999 1999 establishments in Minnesota