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 Canterbury Park To Host Claiming Crown For 9th Time in 2009 December 17, 2008 -- Shakopee, MN -- Canterbury Park will host Claiming Crown for the ninth time in the event's 11-year history when the one-of-a-kind program for thoroughbred racing's "blue-collar" performers is held there next summer on Saturday, July 25. Patterned after the Breeders' Cup, the $600,000 Claiming Crown consists of seven races offered at varying distances on both dirt and turf. "Claiming Crown annually attracts some of America's winningest horses and trainers, including such leading conditioners as Steve Asmussen and Scott Lake," said Randy Sampson, president and general manager of the track located in the Minneapolis suburb of Shakopee. "We are looking forward to their participation again in 2009." Conditions of eligibility for Claiming Crown 2009 will be identical as in 2008, which means to be a participant a horse must have started for or below the specific claiming price since January 1, 2008. The races again will have purses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 and the claiming levels will range from $7,500 to $35,000. The seven races are: $50,000 Iron Horse, three-year-olds and up, starters for $7,500 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth. $50,000 Express, three-year-olds and up, starters for $7,500 or less, six furlongs. $75,000 Glass Slipper, fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up, starters for $16,000 or less, six furlongs. $75,000 Rapid Transit, three-year-olds and up, starters for $16,000 or less, six furlongs. $100,000 Tiara, fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up, starters for $25,000 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth on turf. $100,000 Emerald, three-year-olds and up, starters for $25,000 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth on turf. $150,000 Jewel, three-year-olds and up, starters for $35,000 or less, one and one-eighth miles. Founded in 1940 on the philosophy of “horsemen helping horsemen” the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) has developed into the largest organization representing horsemen's interests in North America. Over 40,000 members strong, the NHBPA protects the rights of the representative majorities of licensed racehorse owners and trainers in over 30 affiliate HBPA offices across the U.S. and Canada. TOBA, based in Lexington, Kentucky, was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of Thoroughbred owners and breeders. TOBA's mission is to "improve the economics, integrity and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders." Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, The Racing Game, Sales Integrity Program and Claiming Crown. TOBA is the owner of The Blood-Horse Inc., and is represented on the Board of Directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association as a founding member. For additional information please contact Claiming Crown Coordinator Nat Wess at 800-340-6361 or 952-496-6411 or nwess@canterburypark.com. Click Here to Return to News Page
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