This December will mark the fifth consecutive year that the Claiming Crown will be held at Gulfstream Park. It will also mark the 18th consecutive year of the event. The inaugural Claiming Crown was held in suburban Minneapolis at Canterbury Park in 1999. The Claiming Crown had also been held previously at Parx, Fair Grounds and Ellis Park. The event was started to reward the blue-collar horses that provide the backbone of day-to-day racing programs.
Total handle for the Claiming Crown the past two seasons at Gulfstream has topped $10 million.
“We're delighted to secure the Claiming Crown through 2018 and continue growing our partnership with members of the National HBPA and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association,” said P.J. Campo, General Manager of Gulfstream Park and Vice President of Racing for The Stronach Group. “We've received incredible support from horsemen throughout North America as well as fans. We're pleased to have the opportunity to continue to grow this event at Gulfstream Park.”
Said Dan Metzger, President of TOBA: “The Claiming Crown has enjoyed unparalleled success since moving to Gulfstream Park and we are thrilled to be able to continue to host the event there for the next three years. Over the last four years, the Claiming Crown has been elevated to a more prominent status on the racing calendar and this agreement solidifies our remarkable partnership with both Gulfstream Park and the Florida HBPA.”
“Members of the National HBPA are very pleased to once again partner with The Stronach Group, Gulfstream Park and the Florida HBPA to host the 2016 Claiming Crown,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA. “This event has grown in popularity with both horsemen and handicappers, and together with TOBA we look forward to raising the profile of the Claiming Crown even higher in the years to come.”
