Maker will saddle morning-line favorites in richest
Claiming Crown events
The 13th annual Claiming Crown, a single-day series of races patterned after
the Breeders’ Cup to reward Thoroughbred racing’s “blue-collar” horses, will
make its New Orleans debut on Saturday at Fair Grounds.
Run for the first time during a winter meeting, the Claiming Crown will be
highlighted by the $150,000
Claiming
Crown Jewel, a nine-furlong starter stakes for three-year-olds and up that
have started for a claiming price of $35,000 or less since 2010. It will also
showcase the $100,000
Claiming Crown Emerald, a starter stakes restricted to older horses that
have started for a claiming price of $25,000 since 2010, to be contested at
about 1 1/16-miles over Fair Grounds’ Stall-Wilson turf course.
Completing the quintet of races that comprise Saturday’s Claiming Crown is
the $75,000
Glass Slipper, a starter stakes at three-quarters of a mile for older
fillies and mares which have started for a claiming price of $16,000 or less
since 2010; the $50,000
Express, a six-furlong starter stakes for older horses that have started for
a claiming price of $7,500 or less since 2010; and the $50,000
Iron
Horse, a starter stakes for older horses that have started for claiming
price of $7,500 or less since 2010 that will be contested at 1 1/16 miles.
The Mike Maker-trained coupling of four-year-old Al Muhtasib, sired by
Distorted Humor, and Isthmus, a sophomore son of Flower Alley, has been pegged
as the 8-5 morning line favorite in the Jewel. Al Muhtasib, winner of his last
start in a $35,000 optional claiming event at Hawthorne on November 6, captured
that 1 1/16-mile test by 2 1/4 lengths. Jockey Julien Leparoux, riding champion
at Churchill Downs’ recently completed fall session, will journey to New Orleans
for the mount.
Stablemate Isthmus, in the money in all three of his most recent starts, last
visited the winner’s circle September 21 at Hoosier Park when best by three
lengths in a $50,000 optional claimer. Jockey Rosie Napravnik, Fair Grounds’
defending jockey champion from last season, has piloting duties.
It Happened Again has been installed as the 2-1 second choice in the Jewel
under Shane Sellers. Conditioned by Steve Asmussen, Fair Grounds’ defending
trainer champion of the last four local sessions, the gelded son of Proud
Citizen captured the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn, but has been
unplaced while making only three starts since that March 12 event.
Baryshnikov, overmatched in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon when last seen on
November 5, was made the 2-1 morning-line choice in the Emerald. The Empire
Maker five-year-old couldn’t challenge in the World Championships, but with a
stakes win and multiple Grade 2 placings on his resume, the Maker charge should
find this spot much more to his liking. Corey Lanerie has the call.
Compliance Officer has been tabbed as the morning-line second choice for the
Emerald at 3-1. Trained by Bruce Brown, the gelded son of Officer had a
five-race win streak — including victories in the Mohawk, Ashley T. Cole and
West Point Stakes — broken when trying the Breeders’ Cup Mile last out. He’ll
try to get back on the winning track in the Emerald with jockey Alex Solis in
the irons.
A three-horse Billy Donna and Justin Hays-owned entry comprised of
Networking, Shesadozer and Costly has been pegged at 3-1 on the Glass Slipper
morning-line. Of the three, Networking looks to have the best shot. The Officer
sophomore filly scored in five straight races before finishing third in her turf
debut against allowance rivals at Churchill Downs last out.
Wild About Marie, winner of the grassy Franklin County Stakes at Keeneland,
and Rattlin Gyspy, a close fourth in the Flashy Lady Stakes at Remington Park,
are also in the six-furlong Glass Slipper with a chance.
Sherlock, a two-time winner at Fair Grounds last winter, is the 3-1
morning-line choice in the $50,000 Express going six furlongs. The Monashee
Mountain gelding was third most recently in late September against allowance
rivals. The $50,000 Iron Horse, which opens the Claiming Crown action, will
feature Built to Precision as the 7-2 morning-line favorite. A three-time winner
at Fair Grounds, the Pure Precision five-year-old has make his last 17 starts
over Louisiana tracks.
Those attending the Claiming Crown on Saturday will get help “cheering” on
their favorite horses as two of the New Orleans Saints cheerleaders, known as
the Sainstsations, will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for photographs
in the Valet/Clubhouse lobby from 1-3 p.m. (CDT).