Claiming Crown has record handle

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - The fifth annual Claiming Crown drew an all-sources handle of $3,242,326 on the 11-race program run Saturday at Canterbury Park, a record for the event and a record for any racing card at Canterbury. Ontrack, attendance was 10,420 and handle was $778,462, third-highest in Claiming Crown history in both categories.

Business was helped by a $200,000 pick-six jackpot guarantee. Two of the six winners in the Claiming Crown came from Maryland, while one each hails from Santa Anita, Arlington Park, Philadelphia Park, and Canterbury. Julie Krone was the human star of the afternoon, riding the winners of the two richest races, Image in the Emerald and Daunting in the Jewel.

This was the fourth time since the Claiming Crown was inaugurated in 1999 that it was held at Canterbury. The only other host track was Philadelphia Park in 2002.