Claiming Crown draws 121 horses to Churchill Downs

A total of 121 horses representing 30 racetracks and training centers across North America were entered for Saturday’s eight Claiming Crown races at Churchill Downs, offering horseplayers deep wagering opportunities and giving connections from coast to coast a chance to compete beneath the historic twin spires.

Click here for Churchill Downs entries and results.

In the body of the eight Claiming Crown races, 100 horses were entered for an average of 12.5 per event. Saturday’s 11-race card will feature 54 jockeys and 110 trainers. Horses based in 15 states will be represented: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The Claiming Crown features eight starter-allowance races for top blue-collar horses. It was created to serve as the claiming horse owner’s Breeders’ Cup from a partnership between the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Now in its 27th year, Saturday will be the third time Churchill Downs has hosted the event. It previously has been hosted at Canterbury Park, Philadelphia Park (now Parx), Ellis Park, Fair Grounds and Gulfstream Park.

Saturday’s wagering menu will feature three Pick 5s beginning in races 1, 4 and 7; the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot for races 6-11, spanning all the Claiming Crown races; and the $3 late Pick 3 for races 9-11, consisting of the $125,000 Rapid Transit, $200,000 Jewel and $175,000 Emerald.