Laurel Claiming Crown Preview Proves Popular
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Laurel Park has attracted 110 horses, including those on also-eligible lists, for its $410,000 Claiming Crown preview Nov. 1.
Winners of the nine races will automatically qualify for a spot in their respective Claiming Crown races at Gulfstream Park Dec. 5, and also get free shipping. Laurel and Gulfstream are owned and operated by The Stronach Group. Claiming Crown nominations close Nov. 8.
The feature on the Sunday card, the $70,000 Jewel, is carded for 3-year-olds and up that have started for a claiming price of $35,000 or less since Jan. 1, 2014. MCA Racing Stable's Behemoth will make his 46th career start off an eight-day turnaround in 1 1/8-mile Jewel.
Behemoth, by Giant's Causeway , finished second in the seven-furlong Claiming Crown Rapid Transit last year at Gulfstream, and earlier this year finished second to Page McKenney in the John B. Campbell Stakes at Laurel.
Behemoth, trained by Claudio Gonzalez and to be ridden by Sheldon Russell, last won in February 2014 when he won the Campbell at Laurel. He finished fourth in an allowance/optional claiming race Oct. 24 in his last start.
"He came back good, he came back fresh, and that's why I decided to run right back," Gonzalez said. "I believe the distance, the 1 1/8 miles, he loves it. He won at this distance last year in (the Campbell) and was second this year."