Saturday guide: Claiming Crown offers huge fields, high payoffs

Churchill Downs hosts the 27th edition of the Claiming Crown on Saturday. This series of eight starter allowance races was developed as a version of the Breeders' Cup for blue-collar owners. The day's feature is race 10, the Claiming Crown Jewel at 1 1/8 miles on dirt with a purse of $200,000.

Seven of the eight Claiming Crown races have overflow fields, and three are on turf. It's a great card offering lots of angles for handicappers.

Before the Claiming Crown action, seven fillies and mares in race 3 will contest the Grade 3 Chilukki stakes at one mile on dirt. 

Coverage of the Claiming Crown and Chilukki stakes will be on FanDuel TV's regular broadcast beginning at 11 a.m. EST.

Free past performances for this weekend's stakes are courtesy of Brisnet.

Here are the top 2025 speed figures for the Claiming Crown Jewel entrants.

*Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures are presented courtesy of Daily Racing Form.

HRN handicappers

Speaking of field size, HRN's Ed DeRosa calculated the average exacta payouts for the last 10 years and discovered just how much better they are with bigger fields. Check out that chart, as well as some long-shot keys in the Claiming Crown Jewel, in his fair odds column. 

The Chilukki looks like a lone speed pace scenario to Head-to-Head handicappers Laurie Ross and Ashley Tamulonis. Get their horse-by-horse analysis and plays. 

Claiming Crown is one of Super Screener creator Mike Shutty's absolute favorite betting days. He's got a live long-shot bomb for the Claiming Crown Glass Slipper – check it out here. 

Get analysis for all eight Claiming Crown races plus all the stops on the road to the Kentucky Derby. 

Meanwhile on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman focus their attention on Aqueduct's Jockey Club Oaks (G3) on turf. It's another match-up between Fionn and Laurelin – see who they like. 

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod has gone fishin' this week with Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Eric Reed. He dials in from the lakeside in Scott County, Ky., for a chat about Reed's family, horse racing and the biggest day of his life, Rich Strike's 80-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby.

2025 Claiming Crown Jewel RS