Two weeks ago we had the Breeders’ Cup. Today, we have a championship day of sorts for the blue-collar horses that do not usually get the spotlight like the top horses. Today is the Claiming Crown races, which are actually starter allowance races where these horses run for some extra glory today.
There are eight Claiming Crown races, but we will look at the final four races here today. All these races will be competitive and full fields, so these races will be difficult yet fun to handicap.
Churchill Race 8 – Canterbury Starter
We begin with the Canterbury Starter here, and this race goes five and a half furlongs on the turf. Despite the rain earlier in the week, this race and the finale should be on the turf. The entrants had to race for a claiming tag of $25,000 or less in 2023 or 2024.
Favored in this race is the 5 Final Verdict (2/1 morning line). He stalked the pace at Aqueduct at the end of September. Don’t be surprised if he is on the lead here, but his best races have been right behind the pacesetters.
10 Hilarious Affair (3/1 morning line) comes into this race after closing to win in an optional claimer at Aqueduct last month. He has consistently closed in his races this year and will look to do so from an outside post here.
The 1 Balsa (8/1 ML) comes into this race after winning two in a row at Remington going five furlongs. He draws the rail for this race, but if he can find an opening in the stretch, he can win at a nice price.
The 6 All Jokes Aside (15/1 ML) will be on the lead here. He has put up from blistering first quarter fractions the last couple of times out. But I think that will help the closers even if he is alone on the lead.
Race 8 Pick
Final Verdict will have first chance to take over in the stretch, but I think that the two closers will be flying late to win this. I’ll take Balsa in an upset over Hilarious Affair. I’ll call this 1-10-5-6 and my play is $20 to win on the 1.
Race 9 – Rapid Transit Starter
Next is the Rapid Transit Starter, and these horses were entered for a $16,000 claiming tag or less sometime in the last two calendar years.
Favored in the Rapid Transit is the 8 Global Senation (2/1 ML). He is the speed in this race, but he will have company up front. Also note that he has the home field advantage here, winning three times in four tries at Churchill with a second.
To the inside of the favorite is the 7 Like a Saltshaker (4/1 ML) who went for the lead and held on at Keeneland last month. He has won from off the pace, which might be better for him today.
To the outside of the favorite is the 9 Pure Panic (7/2 ML). He was on the lead in September at Churchill finishing second. He’d be better suited to stalk the pace, but he has only won once in nine tries over the Churchill main track.
The 10 Stage Left (6/1 ML) closed well to win a 16k claiming event at Keeneland last month. He did end up on the board in a Grade 3 race at Aqueduct in March, when he finished races, he has closed well. If they go too fast up front, he could win this at a nice price from the outside.
Race 9 Pick
I’m going with the horse that has performed best at Churchill. I’ll take the favorite Global Sensation holding off Stage Left who will be stage right from the favorite at the finish. I’ll call this 8-10-7-9 with a $20 win play on the 8.
Race 10 – Jewel Starter
The main event of the day is next which is the Claiming Crown Jewel. Any horse that entered for a claiming tag of $35,000 or less in 2023 or 2024 is eligible for this race.
Favored in the Jewel is the 3 Money Supply (2/1 ML). He comes in after a two-month freshening after two poor performances on the turf. Back in February he won the Grade 2 Mineshaft at the Fair Grounds. He has won at the distance, is two for five at Churchill and will love the return to the main track.
The 8 Bourbon Day (5/2 ML) drew off to win an off the turf optional claiming race at Aqueduct in September. He is better suited for the turf but does have one win in the dirt at Evangeline Downs which is not even close to Churchill Downs’ level of racing.
The 4 Hurry Hurry (8/1 ML) was further back than usual in his September win and returns two months after that win. He has run well fresh and will be there at the end at a great price and the ability to go this distance.
The 2 General Mathis (12/1 ML) may be on the lead here or stalking the pace. There will be speed outside of him with the 9 Laughing Boy (12/1) but this is the first race for him in seven months. The latter horse will determine where the General is today.
Race 10 Pick
We might be looking at another favorite wining here, but I am going to take a chance with Hurry Hurry who will be hurry hurrying in the stretch to win this race. Let’s call this 4-8-3-2 with a $20 win play on the 4.
Churchill Race 11 – Emerald Starter
Finally, we have the Claiming Crown Emerald Starter, and this full field will go a mile and a sixteenth on the turf. For this race, if your horse was entered for a $25,000 claiming tag in 2023 or 2024, your horse is eligible.
Favored is the 8 Sugoi (2/1 ML). He has not shown much in his last two races at Keeneland and at Colonial Downs. His best races are on the front end, but they appear that they have to be on the lead with slower paces. There are several other entrants that need the lead as well, which does not look good for the favorite today.
Harrow (#6, 3/1 ML) returned from a five-month break in September winning an optional claimer on the difficult European-style course at Kentucky Downs. He has won two in a row and has won starter allowances at this level numerous times at Tampa Bay Downs.
The 10 Journeyman (4/1 ML) appears to be a versatile horse that can close or gun for the lead. He just missed in a blanket finish last month at Woodbine on the turf. He should be closing as well.
The 9 Echo Lane (12/1 ML) finished fourth in the Virginia Derby at Colonial back in September and has been training up to this race ever since. He faced Deterministic who has run very well in graded stakes company in New York.
Race 11 Pick
I think Sugoi is a weak favorite here given that he has tired in races recently. Harrow won after a fairly long break at a difficult track. Echo Lane faced an opponent last out that has continued to run well. I’ll take those two with Harrow winning the finale. I’ll call this 6-9-10-8 with a $20 win wager on the 6.
That’s it for now, and best of luck in all your wagers. See you in the winner’s circle!
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