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The tenth renewal of the rich and prestigious Claiming Crown will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota. The seven-race event will boast guaranteed purses of $600,000 to qualifying horses from around the country that had started at least once since January 1, 2007 for a claiming price ranging from $7,500 (or less) to $35,000 (or less).

The 2008 Claiming Crown will return to Canterbury Park for the eighth time after a successful venture to Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky in 2007.

The 2008 races are tentatively expected to be:

Claiming Crown Race	Claiming Level	Age/Sex	Distance	Surface	Purse
The Iron Horse	$7,500	3 & Up	8.5 f	Dirt	$50,000
The Allied Waste Services Express	$7,500	3 & Up	6.0 f	Dirt	$50,000
The Glass Slipper	$16,000	3 & Up, f&m	6.0 f	Dirt	$75,000
The Rapid Transit	$16,000	3 & Up	6.0 f	Dirt	$75,000
The John Deere Turf Tiara	$25,000	3 & Up, f&m	8.5 f	Turf	$100,000
The Bremer Bank Emerald	$25,000	3 & Up	8.5 f	Turf	$100,000
The Jewel	$35,000	3 & Up	9.0 f	Dirt	$150,000

About the Claiming Crown

A partnership betweenthe National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, the Claiming Crown was envisioned to be the claiming horse owner’s Breeders’ Cup; a special racing event, created for the sometime-forgotten "average owner," and featuring some of the most competitive horses in the country. Every horse owner, regardless of the level at which their stable competes, has an equal chance to participate, as the Claiming Crown is open to all claiming horses irrespective of where they were foaled or race.

Claiming horses are the hard-knocking heroes of the turf, having to prove themselves every day the American way: through sweat, muscle, and heart. As the heart, soul, and brawn of American Thoroughbred racing, they are extremely popular competitors. Their stories, and those of their owners, are often easily identified with and appreciated by racing’s fans.

With the Claiming Crown producing competitive, full fields, its races are attractive betting propositions. Adding to the excitement is the "hometown hero" angle, with starters come from all regions of the country - so called "big" and "little" racing circuits. The local nature of the competitors stimulates regional interest and competition between regions.