Claiming Crown Overcame Obstacles, Beat Odds

When it was formed in 1998 and launched in 1999, the Claiming Crown met with some skepticism in the Thoroughbred industry.

There were questions about how the event, a series of scaled starter allowance races with stakes-like purses, could sustain itself on nomination fees. And there were those who wondered why an investment should be made to showcase lower-level horses that didn't represent the cream of the Thoroughbred crop.

But while other concepts in the Thoroughbred business failed to come to fruition, and other racing events came, went, were scrapped, and are generally forgotten, the Claiming Crown survived. It's appropriate if for no other reason than the fact claiming races make up the majority of horse races in North America.

So the event will have its 16th running Dec. 6 at Gulfstream Park, which will host it for the third consecutive year. And from a field size and wagering perspective, the Claiming Crown appears stronger than ever.

A product of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Claiming Crown was first held at Canterbury Park in Minnesota. Drew Couto, former president of TOBA, and Scott Savin, formerly with the National HBPA, formed the partnership that led to the launch of the event.

Canterbury, which subsequently held the event nine more times, is largely credited with being responsible for keeping it alive.

When it became apparent early on the Claiming Crown would require more than nominating fees and pari-mutuel handle to fund purses, Canterbury ownership, headed by Randy Sampson, and the Minnesota Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association stepped up. They decided to make the Claiming Crown the premier event of the track's summer meet, and combined to contribute the more than $550,000 in purses necessary for the races.

"I would say the commitment from Canterbury and the Minnesota horsemen—they stuck by the event—was big," said TOBA president Dan Metzger, who replaced Couto in that position one month before the inaugural Claiming Crown Aug. 7, 1999. "There were times when we were all concerned about the future of the event from the standpoint of future host sites. So we have to give so much credit to Randy Sampson, his team, and the Minnesota horsemen for keeping it going."

Andy Schweigardt, director of development and industry relations for TOBA, said Minnesota HBPA president Tom Metzen, who continues in that role, was convinced the Claiming Crown was good for business at Canterbury, even though not all horsemen based there agreed.

"I remember hearing stories about disagreements Tom had with his membership over hosting the Claiming Crown, but he remained steadfast to keep bringing it back to Canterbury," Schweigardt said. "And if you look back on it, the event brought a lot of publicity to Canterbury."

On only one occasion did Claiming Crown attendance fail to top 10,000 at Canterbury; crowds generally exceeded 11,000, with a record of more than 13,000 in 2000. The Claiming Crown handle record at Canterbury came in 2004, when $2.99 million was wagered on the six races.

Three other racetracks—Philadelphia Park, now Parx Racing, in Pennsylvania; Ellis Park in Kentucky; and Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in Louisiana—have each hosted the Claiming Crown once. Ellis Park, which hosted in 2007, held the handle record at $3.57 million before the 2012 edition at Gulfstream; while the 2002 event at Philadelphia Park and 2011 event at Fair Grounds produced the lowest wagering totals as both were under $1.7 million.

The first Claiming Crown at Gulfstream blew away records for the event with day's handle of $9.68 million for seven races, and $12.21 million for the entire card. It was the first program of the track's "Championship Meet," which followed the fall meet at Calder Casino & Race Course.

Last year Gulfstream and Calder raced head-to-head on weekends, so Gulfstream was open for months before its traditional opening day in early December. Claiming Crown wagering last year fell to $7.66 million—still the second-highest in its history—while total handle for the day was $8.83 million.

Claiming Crown organizers are expecting a rebound this year. Gulfstream operated the recent Calder meet under the banner of Gulfstream Park West, and the track will begin its meet Dec. 6 free of competition from Calder.

Gulfstream Park and the Florida HBPA, like Canterbury and the Minnesota HBPA, have embraced the Claiming Crown and support it financially. There are eight races in the series this year worth a total of $1 million, almost twice the purse outlay when the event began in 1999.

"Tim Ritvo and his staff at Gulfstream, and the Florida HBPA, have picked it up and accelerated it to a higher level," Metzger said. "It's now held at a different time of year, and the fact South Florida has top stables and the event is held on opening day certainly helps."

"Having the Claiming Crown at a track that has one of, if not the, most popular winter signal in the country is huge," Schweigardt said.

This year's eight races attracted a total of 104 entries, not including horses on the also-eligible list. Before scratches, there are six 14-horse fields and two 10-horse fields. The first two overnight races on the Saturday program also attracted 14 horse fields.

"The Claiming Crown is a source of pride for our owners and trainers because the races allow them to demonstrate what their horses are capable of as equine athletes," National HBPA chief executive officer Phil Hanrahan said. "It is also a source of pride for our organization and our affiliates, especially the Minnesota HBPA and its president, Tom Metzen, who along with Randy Sampson of Canterbury played a central role in the birth and development of the Claiming Crown."

Though Sampson several years ago said he believes the Claiming Crown should, as was intended when it launched, travel to other venues, the event likely will always have a home at Canterbury if need be. The last few years the track and Minnesota HBPA have been working to build the racing and breeding program in the state thanks to a 10-year purse and marketing agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which owns the nearby Mystic Lake Hotel & Casino.

The deal, signed in 2012, will provide $75 million in purse money over the 10 years and has allowed Canterbury to begin rebuilding its regular stakes program as well as increase purses to record levels.

In the meantime, however, Claiming Crown supporters in Minnesota will be honored at this year's event, which for the first time features a race named for Canterbury.