Canterbury Park will host Claiming Crown for the ninth time in the event’s 11-year history when the one-of-a-kind program for thoroughbred racing’s “blue-collar” performers is held there next summer on Saturday, July 25. Patterned after the Breeders’ Cup, the $600,000 Claiming Crown consists of seven races offered at varying distances on both dirt and turf.
“Claiming Crown annually attracts some of America’s winningest horses and trainers, including such leading conditioners as Steve Asmussen and Scott Lake,” said Randy Sampson, president and general manager of the track located in the Minneapolis suburb of Shakopee. “We are looking forward to their participation again in 2009.”
Conditions of eligibility for Claiming Crown 2009 will be identical as in 2008, which means to be a participant a horse must have started for or below the specific claiming price since January 1, 2008. The races again will have purses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 and the claiming levels will range from $7,500 to $35,000.
The seven races are:
$50,000 Iron Horse, three-year-olds and up, starters for $7,500 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth.
$50,000 Express, three-year-olds and up, starters for $7,500 or less, six furlongs.
$75,000 Glass Slipper, fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up, starters for $16,000 or less, six furlongs.
$75,000 Rapid Transit, three-year-olds and up, starters for $16,000 or less, six furlongs.
$100,000 Tiara, fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up, starters for $25,000 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth on turf.
$100,000 Emerald, three-year-olds and up, starters for $25,000 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth on turf.
$150,000 Jewel, three-year-olds and up, starters for $35,000 or less, one and one-eighth miles.
For additional information please contact Claiming Crown Coordinator Nat Wess at 800-340-6361 or 952-496-6411 or nwess@canterburypark.com.
