The 27th Claiming Crown will take place on November 15 at Churchill Downs, marking the third time in four years the Louisville track has hosted this event. Established in 1999 through a partnership between the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, the Claiming Crown celebrates claiming horses—key competitors in everyday North American racing—by offering higher purses than typical starter allowance races. This year’s event features eight six-figure claiming races with varying eligibility based on claiming prices, distances, and surfaces, alongside the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes for fillies and mares.

Highlighting the event is the $200,000 Jewel race, restricted to horses that competed for claiming prices of $35,000 or less, featuring notable contenders like Navajo Warrior, who enters with a five-race win streak and experience on Churchill’s surface. The field also includes strong challengers such as Double Your Money, Point Dume, Bernin Hot, and Cadet Corps. With 54 jockeys and 110 trainers participating, the Claiming Crown provides a significant platform for horses and horsemen who might otherwise remain under the radar, showcasing the depth and competitiveness of claiming-rank thoroughbreds.