Claiming Crown, thoroughbred racing's $600,000 bonanza for the sport's "blue-collar" runners, has attracted 279 nominees for its 10th renewal, which returns to Canterbury Park in Shakopee this year on Saturday, Aug. 2. That number includes 206 original nominees, 39 horses named via "open" nominations and another 34 for whom a $500 nomination fee was paid.

"Everyone involved with Claiming Crown is excited about it's going back to Canterbury Park this year,” said Dan Metzger, president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). Claiming Crown is a joint venture between TOBA and the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA). Last year Ellis Park in Henderson, KY was the host track.  This will be the eighth time it has been run at Canterbury Park.

Claiming Crown features seven races, with purses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 and is open to horses that have started at least once in 2007-08 for claiming prices ranging from $7,500 to $35,000.  Climax to the day is the Jewel, a mile and one-eighth event on the main track and the program also features two mile and one-sixteenth races on the turf, three six-furlong dashes on the dirt and a mile and one-sixteenth main track contest. Race sponsors are Bremer Bank, John Deere, Daily Racing Form and Allied Waste Services.

Horses who have been racing in all parts of North America are on the nomination list and among them are several runners who have improved so much that they now are competitive in stakes races.  Large Claiming Crown fields are expected to include runners who have raced this year in 18 different states and Canada.