The 14th edition of the Claiming Crown will be run for the first time at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Dec. 1. The seven races will be featured on Gulfstream's opening day program.
Regular nominations must be received or postmarked on or before Friday, Nov. 9.
Gulfstream Park Racing Secretary Dan Bork said horsemen have been very supportive of the Claiming Crown this year with 274 trainers eligible to nominate horses.
"We're very excited at Gulfstream about hosting the Claiming Crown," Bork said. "The response from trainers earlier this year was overwhelming when asked to pay the $100 fee to be eligible to nominate horses. Our goal now is to make sure everyone remembers the Friday, Nov. 9 deadline."
Some of the 274 trainers who paid the $100 fee include Todd Pletcher, Dale Romans, Steve Asmussen, Kiaran McLaughlin, Chad Brown, Allen Jerkens and John Sadler.
"With $850,000 in purses and the unprecedented hospitality Gulfstream Park has planned, this is a great opportunity for horsemen with eligible horses to nominate and be part of the 2012 Claiming Crown," said Daniel Metzger, President of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
The Claiming Crown is a partnership between the National HBPA and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The event was launched in 1999 at Canterbury Park in Minnesota.
For more information, race conditions and nomination forms, visit www.claimingcrown.com.
