The National HBPA will hold its 2010 summer convention at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, MN from July 21-25, 2010. The convention will be hosted by the Minnesota HBPA and held in conjunction with the 2010 Claiming Crown scheduled for Saturday, July 24 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN.
Patterned after the Breeders’ Cup, the Claiming Crown was designed to reward Thoroughbred racing’s “blue-collar” horses and will offer six races at varying distances on both dirt and turf with purses totaling $500,000. The inaugural Claiming Crown was held at the suburban Minneapolis racetrack in 1999. This year will be the 10th time Canterbury Park has played host to the event.
The National HBPA 2010 Summer Convention will kick off on Wednesday, July 21 with registration and a welcome cocktail party. Thursday and Friday will feature a number of informative panels and HBPA committee meetings, followed by the Claiming Crown Cocktail Party at Canterbury Park on Friday evening.
On Saturday morning, the National HBPA's Executive Committee will meet. That afternoon, convention attendees will have the opportunity to attend Claiming Crown XII at Canterbury Park.
The National HBPA will conclude its summer convention on Sunday, July 25 with a meet of its full Board of Directors.
Registration for the convention is apiece $350.00 for HBPA members and their significant others through June 24. After June 24, registration is $375.00 per person. Cancellations will be accepted until June 29 with a $50.00 fee. No refunds after June 30.
For a registration form and more information, visit www.nationalhbpa.com.
All attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. Room rates for the host hotel, the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis, are $130.00 for a single, $145.00 for a double, $160.00 for a triple, and $175.00 for a quad. All rates include breakfast vouchers in the dining room, with a limited menu.
Reservations for the Radisson can be made at 1-800-333-3333 or online at www.radisson.com/hotels/mpls_dt. Be sure to ask the the "NHBPA" room block. The last day to book rooms at the NHBPA rate is June 24.
The nearest airport is the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (Airport code: MSP). Transportation to the hotel can be obtained via taxi, rental car, or light rail train. Self-parking at the hotel (the Plaza VII ramp directly beneath the hotel) is $12 per day Sun.-Thurs. and $6 per day after 4:00 p.m. on Fri.-Sat. Valet parking is available 24 hours for $26 per day.
For more information on the Claiming Crown, visit the event's website at www.ClaimingCrown.com.
