The Claiming Crown, inaugurated in 1999, is a series of seven races run under starter allowance conditions, with purses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. It is seen as a ‘’blue collar” Breeders' Cup

Breeders' Cup

The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, most but not all Grade I, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. The location...

 series for claiming horses. Any claiming horse owner can participate subject to stipulated conditions.

The Claiming Crown, held under the auspices of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association

Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association

The American Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association based in Lexington, Kentucky is a trade organization for Thoroughbred racehorse owners and breeders...

, has for much of its existence been run at Canterbury Park

Canterbury Park

Canterbury Park is a horse racing track located in Shakopee, Minnesota, USA.It runs a meet that consists of 62 racing days from early May to Labor Day, generally holding scheduled races Thursday through Sunday, with racing added on several holidays throughout the meet. The track itself features a...

 in Shakopee, Minnesota

Shakopee, Minnesota

Shakopee is a city southwest of downtown Minneapolis in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Scott County. Located on the south bank bend of the Minnesota River, Shakopee and nearby suburbs comprise the southwest portion of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the thirteenth largest...

. The track last held the event in 2006. In 2002, the Claiming Crown was held at Philadelphia Park Racetrack

Philadelphia Park Racetrack

Parx Racing and Casino is a thoroughbred horse racetrack and racino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. It currently houses 3,300 slot machines.-History:...

. In 2007, it took place at Ellis Park Racecourse in Henderson, Kentucky

Henderson, Kentucky

Henderson is a city in Henderson County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River in the western part of the state. The population was 27,952 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Evansville Metropolitan Area often referred to as "Kentuckiana", although "Tri-State Area" or "Tri-State" are more...

.

The Claiming Crown returned to Canterbury Park on August 2nd of 2008 with new conditions meant to entice more horses to participate. Until 2007, the cut-off for which a horse needed to have run for a certain claiming price to qualify was almost a year in advance of the Claiming Crown series. In 2008, the conditions for entry were similar to those of starter allowance races held at most tracks around the country.

In 2008, the 10th running of the Claiming Crown, the races were for horses that have started for $7,500 to $35,000 in 2007 and 2008. The new conditions shortened the cut-off for eligibility by almost seven months.

Since its inception, the Claiming Crown has been Canterbury Park’s biggest day of racing. At Ellis Park, it set a record for total handle.

On December 3, 2011, the Fair Grounds Race Course

Fair Grounds Race Course

Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack and racino in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC....

 in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...

 will be hosting the 13th running of the Claiming Crown.

The Seven Races

Race name	Claiming Price	Distance/Surface	Restrictions	Purse
The Iron Horse	$7,500	8.5 furlong Furlong A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries.... s - dirt	3-year-old & up	$50,000
The Express	$7,500	6 furlongs - dirt	3-year-old & up	$50,000
The Glass Slipper	$16,000	6 furlongs - dirt	3-year-olds & up (f&m)	$75,000
The Rapid Transit	$16,000	6 furlongs - dirt	3-year-old & up	$75,000
The Tiara	$25,000	8.5 furlongs - turf Grass Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...	3-year-old & up (f&m)	$100,000
The Emerald	$25,000	8.5 furlongs - turf	3-year-olds and up	$100,000
The Jewel	$35,000	9 furlongs - dirt	2-year-old	$150,000

(The host track and host horsemen’s group put up most if not all of the purse money for the races.)