2011 Claiming Crown The annual paean to the claimer takes place this week in Race # 8<\/STRONG><\/A> <\/STRONG> Full disclosure: this is the only one of the Crown races where I have a starter.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>SUN KIL MOON(LA) <\/B>has been trying to make an impression in the state-bred races here, so I kept her around for this race.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Maybe the change back to a mile will help her out.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>DONJON(IRE)<\/B> is a valid favorite with three straight wins over a route, and BLAMETHEREDHEAD(ARG), SHADY PINES(MD),<\/B> and MY DESTINATION(GB)<\/B> have all run fast lately.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>The latter two are 7-1 or better and could be value plays.<\/P> Race # 9<\/STRONG><\/A> <\/STRONG> In the cheap sprinter ranks, BULLISH SWAN(KY)<\/B> looks great at 9\/2, riding a 3-win streak with a 103 and 105 in the last two.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>SECOND WAVE(JPN)<\/B> and FLASH N’ DASH(KY)<\/B> are also fast, but you could probably pull down a big trifecta involving some combination of ALARPHARD(IRE),<\/B> sophomore WAR LEGEND(KY),<\/B> and SWEET IMITATION(JPN)<\/B>, who just ran a dud at 11 furlongs but is much faster at this distance.<\/P> Race # 10<\/STRONG><\/A> <\/STRONG> The pricier division of sprinters is strangely devoid of early speed.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Perhaps SLIP MAHONEY(NY) <\/B>can slip away with it, or local bred SEATTLE LEGEND(LA)<\/B> may inherit the lead.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Favored 8-year-old EXBOURNE’S SENATOR<\/B> is plenty fast in the lane and may catch up despite the pace scenario.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Young LEFT ME LANGIN(KY)<\/B> is another with a 3-race streak and is an interesting longshot play.<\/P> Race # 11<\/STRONG><\/A> <\/STRONG> Turf fillies aiming to wear the coveted dress are a well-balanced bunch, with up-and-coming young DANCING SAILOR(KY)<\/B> and ROCK THE BEAT(KY)<\/B> doing battle with veterans LOVE HARD TEN(KY)<\/B> [10 wins], SILVER CROSS(KY)<\/B> [8 wins], MELLOW DANCER(KY) <\/B>[8 wins], and TIE DYED DOOTSIN(WV) <\/B>[11 wins].\u00a0 <\/SPAN>I might go with RUTGERS ROCKS(KY),<\/B> who has the only triple digit showing in all the past performances on the page, and that was in her last race.<\/P> Race # 12<\/STRONG><\/A> <\/STRONG> Wow, HANDSOME HOSS(KY), MISSLE OF MONTE(NY), SOVIET BALLET(IRE), and MIDNIGHT SHOW(KY)<\/B> have all run very fast lately, with the latter coming back from a disappointing turf sprint.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>KEY PARTY(KY)<\/B> is an interesting 22-1 longshot if he can come back to his claiming form of earlier in the year.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>SNOWMAN ONTHE MOON(ENG)<\/B> just discovered the turf and is worth a LONG look at 26-1.<\/P> Race # 13<\/STRONG><\/A> <\/STRONG> The highest-price starter allowance on the card features favorite CONCORDANT(KY),<\/B> who has been beaten only once, by a nose, in his last eight races.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Speedy NO COMPETITION(KY)<\/B> could stay up there for a piece, and horses like RUBBER MATT(JPN)<\/B> and MY MANSHOOD’S OUT(SAF)<\/B> \u2013 very clever \u2013 could take it all with a return to their best form.<\/P> Race # 14<\/STRONG><\/A> <\/STRONG> What is essentially the Belmont Stakes of the Claiming Crown drew the smallest field, seven.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>The oddsmakers have CHANTILI TLC(KY)<\/B> winning based on a superior number of wins and lifetime earnings.\u00a0 <\/SPAN>But watch out for RIEDINGER(FR),<\/B> unchallenged in his last four in dirt routes, or I DOUBT THAT(AUS),<\/B> a sophomore on a modest win streak.<\/P>
The Steel Horse<\/B>
Starter Allowance \u00a0($7,500)
A mile and one sixteenth
Fast Dirt
$50,000
All horses, 3 years old and up
The Midnight Express<\/B>
Starter Allowance \u00a0($7,500)
Six furlongs
Fast Dirt
$50,000
All horses, 3 years old and up<\/P>
The Get Going Fast<\/B>
Starter Allowance \u00a0($15,000)
Six furlongs
Fast Dirt
$75,000
All horses, 3 years old and up<\/P>
The Grass Gown<\/B>
Starter Allowance \u00a0($25,000)
A mile and one sixteenth
Firm Turf
$100,000
Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up<\/P>
The Ruby Tuesday<\/B>
Starter Allowance \u00a0($25,000)
A mile and one sixteenth
Firm Turf
$100,000
All horses, 3 years old and up<\/P>
The Showstopper<\/B>
Starter Allowance \u00a0($35,000)
A mile and one eighth
Fast Dirt
$150,000
All horses, 3 years old and up<\/P>
The Long John Silver<\/B>
Starter Allowance \u00a0($25,000)
A mile and one half
Fast Dirt
$100,000
All horses, 3 years old and up<\/P>