Gulfstream to host Claiming Crown through 2015

The 2013 Claiming Crown will return to Gulfstream Park for the second

consecutive year December 7 with a record $1 million in purses and an additional

race for fillies and mares.

In addition, Gulfstream Park, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and

Protective Association (NHBPA), the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association

(TOBA) and the Florida HBPA announced  the Claiming Crown will be run at

Gulfstream through 2015.

There will be eight races including the debut of the new $110,000 Iron Lady

for fillies and mares who have started for a claiming price of $7,500 or less

since January 1, 2012, going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Four of the

Claiming Crown races with $100,000 purses last year were boosted to $110,000

this year. The eight Claiming Crown races in 2013, all for three-year-olds and

up who have started for a specified claiming price or less since January 1,

2012, are:

$200,000 Jewel, 1 1/8 miles, $35,000 claiming price

$125,000 Emerald, 1 1/16 miles (turf), $25,000 claiming price

$125,000 Tiara, 1 1/16 miles (turf), fillies and mares, $25,000 claiming price

$110,000 Rapid Transit, 7 furlongs, $16,000 claiming price

$110,000 Glass Slipper, 7 furlongs, fillies and mares, $16,000 claiming price

$110,000 Express, 6 furlongs, $7,500 claiming price

$110,000 Iron Horse, 1 1/16 miles, $7,500 claiming price

$110,000 Iron Lady, 1 1/16 miles, fillies and mares, $7,500 claiming price

The nominating system will remain the same this year, with the deadline for

trainer nominations set for September 20. For a payment of just $100, a trainer

will become eligible to nominate any number of horses through the regular

nomination payment. The deadline for horse nominations is November 15, and the

deadline for supplemental nominations is December 4.

"Gulfstream Park and The Stronach Group are proud of the Claiming Crown's

record success last winter at our facility," Gulfstream Park President Tim Ritvo

said. "Due to that success and our partnerships with NHBPA, FHBPA and TOBA, we

were able to negotiate a three-year agreement. Having the Claiming Crown is

great for Gulfstream, great for horsemen, great for fans, and super for the

industry."

"Thanks to Gulfstream Park and the Florida FHBPA raising the total purses to

$1 million and adding the new fillies and mares race, we hope to build on the

success of the 2012 edition of the Claiming Crown and attract the best current

and former claiming horses to Florida in December," said Phil Hanrahan, CEO of

the National HBPA. "The three-year agreement will facilitate the further

importance of this day of racing as a target for owners and trainers throughout

the United States and Canada."

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