HBPA Claiming Championship gives claimers shot at good money

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The inaugural HBPA Claiming Championship Series takes place Saturday and Sunday at Hastings. To be eligible for the series, horses must have started twice in 2017 at or below the top claiming price of the race they are entered for. They also must have started at least once at Hastings for the qualifying price.

All the races are for 3-year-olds and up, and all of the horses entered are eligible to be claimed. Technically, they are stakes races, with owners paying $100 to enter and $200 to start.

The claiming prices range from $4,000 to $25,000, with a minimum purse of $25,000. The $25,000 claiming races carry a $30,000 purse. Races were offered both long and short for $4,000, $8,000, $16,000, and $25,000 claimers. Not all of the races filled, however, and some changes for next year will likely be considered. Hastings and Emerald have worked together before to strengthen fields at both tracks, most notably allowing horses bred or sired in either Washington or British Columbia to run in Washington Cup and B.C. Cup races. If the series is to continue, perhaps a similar approach will be considered for the HBPA Claiming Championship.

The most intriguing of the seven races carded Saturday is $25,000 claimer that goes as race 2.

It is a well-matched field, with four of the six horses entered in the 1 1/16-mile race being stakes winners.

Awesome Slate looks like the one to beat. He is coming off an impressive win for trainer Greg Tracy going 1 1/16 miles in a $16,000 claiming race Sept. 1, and with his tactical speed he should a nice trip sitting just off Bluegrass Angus.

Awesome Slate will be making his first start for trainer Cindy Krasner, who claimed him on behalf of Jake Kalpakian.

Awesome Slate drew post 4 with leading rider Richard Hamel riding again.

KEY CONTENDERS

Awesome Slate, by Summer Bird

Last 3 Beyers: 75-74-76

◗ He is on top of his game right now and has the perfect running style for the likely shape of the race.

Bluegrass Angus, by Bluegrass Cat

Last 3 Beyers: 71-70-76

◗ Trained by Craig MacPherson, he is the speed of the speed and could be tough to run down if he breaks on top leaving from post 2.

◗ He won three stakes as a 3-year-old in 2015.

Square Dancer, by Circular Quay

Last 3 Beyers: 70-71-77

◗ The Steve Henson-trained 7-year-old is coming off a couple of solid efforts at this level, and he should be rolling late.

◗ The 2015 local horse of the year, he could get up in time if the top two hook early.