NYRA Unveils 10-Race Claiming Series

Blood-Horse

The New York Racing Association’s inaugural Claiming Championship Series will offer 10 stakes worth $710,000 when it debuts at Aqueduct Racetrack March 21.

Named after some of the most familiar claiming horses to run at Aqueduct, the 10 races—one-half at six furlongs and one-half at 1 1/16 miles, all on the inner track—are open to horses that have started for a claiming price this year or last year.

“The Claiming Championship Series gives those horses who have run at Aqueduct during the winter months their chance to shine on a prominent day of racing,” said Martin Panza, senior vice president of racing operations for NYRA. “We have all seen the success of the Claiming Crown (currently run in December) in Florida, and we will see if it works for us.”

Heading the two-turn races is the $100,000 Mr. Sinatra, open to horses that have started for any claiming price in 2014-15. The $80,000 Stud Muffin and the $80,000 Karakorum Elektra are for fillies and mares that have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less, while the $60,000 More To Tell and $60,000 Sis City are open to fillies and mares that have started for a tag of $16,000 or less.

Topping the six-furlong races is the $90,000 Caixa Eletronica, open to horses that have started for a claiming price of $40,000 or less. Horses that have run for a tag of $20,000 or less are eligible for the $70,000 Peeping Tom or the $70,000 Xtra Heat for fillies and mares, with horses that have started for a claiming price of $12,500 or less eligible for the $50,000 Kelly Kip and the $50,000 Videogenic for fillies and mares.

“We anticipate a great day of championship racing for our claiming horses who comprise the backbone of our winter meet,” Panza said. “We hope their loyal followers will turn out for this event.”