Gulfstream to Host Claiming Crown
Gulfstream Park's 75th anniversary of Thoroughbred racing kicks into high gear this weekend with the $1 million Claiming Crown and guaranteed pools on its 20-cent Rainbow 6 and 10-cent Ultimate 8.
The 15th Claiming Crown, to be held at Gulfstream for the second consecutive year Saturday, will feature eight races with total purses for the first time of $1 million. The Claiming Crown is designed to recognize and celebrate the sport's most enduring and competitive horses.
Post time Friday, Saturday and Sunday is 12:40 p.m ET.
The eight Claiming Crown races, all for 3-year-olds and up who have started for a specific claiming price or less since January 1, 2012, are:
| Program # | Claiming Crown Races | Post Time (ET/PT) |
| 3 | $110,000 Iron Lady Stakes | 1:38pm |
| 4 | $110,000 Glass Slipper Stakes | 2:07pm |
| 5 | $110,000 Express Stakes | 2:36pm |
| 6 | $110,000 Rapid Transit Stakes | 3:05pm |
| 7 | $125,000 Tiara Stakes | 3:34pm |
| 8 | $110,000 Iron Horse Stakes | 4:03pm |
| 9 | $125,000 Emerald Stakes | 4:33pm |
| 10 | $200,000 Jewel Stakes | 5:03pm |
Claiming Crown at Gulfstream Park Special Wagering
A special 10-cent Pick 8 wager with a minimum guaranteed pool of $100,000 will be offered at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 7 in conjunction with the renewal of the $1 million Claiming Crown.
The $100,000 Guaranteed Claiming Crown Ultimate 8 will be linked to the eight stakes scheduled for the 15th annual event that pays tribute to the claiming horses that provide the foundation for the Thoroughbred programs at racetracks nationwide.
The one-day Ultimate 8, which requires bettors to select the winners of all eight races, will offer a mandatory payout on Dec. 7 with the potential for a lucrative payout going to those bettors with the most Claiming Crown winners.
The Claiming Crown, which was conducted at Gulfstream for the first time during the 2012-13 meeting, attracted 232 nominations for the eight races worth a total of $1 million in purses, virtually guaranteeing full, competitive fields and presenting a strong handicapping challenge.
The 10-cent Ultimate 8 will be offered on the Dec. 7th card in addition to the popular Rainbow 6, which produced a $3.59 million payoff to a New Jersey bettor last February. After being offered with a 10-cent base wager for the past three years, the Rainbow 6 will carry a 20-cent base wager beginning Nov. 30, opening day for Gulfstream’s traditional Champions Meet.
Bet the 2013 Claiming Crown and Gulfstream Park horse racing online with TwinSpires and watch horse racing replays for free on TwinSpiresTV!
2013 Claiming Crown Race Day Information
Date: Saturday, December 7
Where: Gulfstream Park
About the Claiming Crown
The Claiming Crown is a partnership between the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The Claiming Crown was created to be the claiming horse owner’s Breeders’ Cup; a special racing event created for the “average owner” and featuring some of the most competitive horses in the country. The Claiming Crown has been held annually since 1999.
Gulfstream Park 2013 - 2014 Championship Meet
Racing Dates: November 30, 2013 through April 6, 2014
Racing Schedule: Gulfstream will begin with a Friday through Sunday racing schedule. It will add Thursdays beginning Dec. 19, and will begin a Wednesday through Sunday schedule Jan. 1.
Post Times: First post time will be 12:40 p.m. ET each day
Gulfstream Park 2013-2014 Race Track Information
Main track (dirt): 1 1/8 mile oval
Length of stretch from last turn to finish line: 898 feet
Composition: 85.5% sand, 14.5% clay
Width of stretch: 90 feet
Turf: 1 mile, inside turf track
Length of stretch from last turn to finish line: 990 feet
Composition: Sandy loam, 75% sand, 25% clay, and Celebration Bermuda grass is grown directly into the base.