The Claiming Crown is a partnership between the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The Claiming Crown was created to be the claiming horse owner’s Breeders’ Cup; a special racing event, created for the “average owner,” and featuring some of the most competitive horses in the country.
The Iron Horse (1 1/16 miles) and the Express (six furlongs), for horses that have started for a claiming price of $7,500 or less since January 1, 2011, will both offer a purse of $100,000, up from $50,000 last year. The Rapid Transit (seven furlongs) and Glass Slipper (seven furlongs for fillies and mares) both increased $25,000 to $100,000 apiece and are for horses that started for $16,000 or less. New this year is the Tiara for fillies and mares that have started for $25,000 or less, and along with the Emerald, will offer a $125,000 purse going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The richest Claiming Crown race will be the Jewel for horses that have started for $35,000 or less going 1 1/8 miles for a $200,000 pot, up from $150,000 last year.
The first important date in the new nomination process is August 31. On or before that date trainers must pay a $100 fee to be eligible to nominate horses to the 2012 Claiming Crown. Similar to a seat license, this fee enables a trainer to nominate horses by Regular Nomination. Trainers not making this payment will only be able to nominate horses through Supplemental Nomination.
Eligible trainers may nominate horses to Claiming Crown races on or before November 9. In a change from prior years, both the horse and Claiming Crown race must be named at the time of nomination.
Supplemental nominations and entries will be taken on November 28.
Trainer and Regular Nomination forms are now available at www.claimingcrown.com.
