Horses with past ties in the claiming ranks will have their annual day in the spotlight Nov. 15 when the 27th Claiming Crown returns to Churchill Downs. This marks the third time in the last four years the Louisville, Ky., track has hosted the event.
A partnership between the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, the Claiming Crown was established in 1999 as a showcase day for claiming horses—equine athletes that are the backbone of everyday racing across North America. Claiming Crown races are characterized by higher purses than those typically found in the starter allowance ranks.
The Claiming Crown has moved around the country over the years, spending extended periods at Canterbury Park and Gulfstream Park. This year's Claiming Crown is staged in conjunction with Churchill Downs and the Kentucky HBPA.
National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback believes the event provides an opportunity to highlight numerous horses and horsemen who might not otherwise be in the spotlight.
"This is an opportunity for them to shine and certainly get the accolades they deserve," he said on the BloodHorse Monday podcast.
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Eight starter allowances—which are races for horses that raced at or below a certain claiming price—follow the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares at a mile on Saturday's 11-race program at Churchill. The seven-horse Chilukki goes as the third race.
All of the Claiming Crown races are also worth six figures. They range from $100,000 for the 6-furlong Ready's Rocket Express, for horses who raced for a claiming price of $8,000 or less over their careers, to $200,000 for the 1 1/8-mile Jewel, which is restricted to those who competed for claiming prices of $35,000 or less in 2024-25. Kentucky-breds can win additional purse money in the eight Claiming Crown races, which differ by eligibility, distance, and surface.
All but the 10-horse Express drew an overflow cast. Some horses are cross-entered in multiple races. There are 54 different jockeys and 110 trainers in Saturday's entries, according to Churchill Downs publicity.
Navajo Warrior, a 4-year-old son of Candy Ride , heads the Jewel, riding a five-race win streak, including two for his current connections after a private purchase. He is proven over the Churchill Downs track surface, having won a first-level allowance Sept. 25 for owners BAG Racing Stables, Miller Racing, Dr. Derek Paul, Mathis Stable, Paul Braverman, and Timothy Pinch. Navajo Warrior then returned to Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida.
"We ran him last time in the allowance there, trying to plan backward from the Claiming Crown," said Saffie Joseph Jr., a five-time winner of Claiming Crown races.
Joseph is hopeful that jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. can negotiate a decent trip from post 12 in the 14-horse field. The presence of several frontrunners should create ample pace for the strong-finishing Navajo Warrior.
Pennsylvania shippers Double Your Money and Point Dume pose threats, as does Bernin Hot, a brave second-level allowance optional claiming winner at Churchill Downs Sept. 18, and Cadet Corps, who beat Bernin Hot this summer at Colonial Downs on Claiming Crown Showcase Day.
The Jewel is the 10th race on Saturday and has a scheduled post time of 5:25 p.m. ET.
