Many are calling this year's Claiming Crown Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs one of the best editions ever. Part of that distinction comes from the wide variety of horses set to compete for 83 different trainers.
A perfect example of the event's flavor can be found in the corner of Barn 40 on the Louisville, Ky., backstretch. Together in that barn are six of Saturday's competitors, with their last races having been contested in Colorado, Oklahoma, Delaware, and Canada.
"Whoever came up with this idea, send him a fruit basket," owner and trainer Mark Hibdon said about the Claiming Crown. "People are coming from all over the country to see what they got and see how it stacks up. It's exciting."
Hibdon, who is based in Texas and Louisiana with 34 horses, brings one of the day's most accomplished contenders in Tennessee Moon, who will compete in the $100,000 Glass Slipper going a one-turn mile. The 4-year-old Ransom the Moon filly enters the weekend leading all North American Thoroughbreds in victories this season, winning 11 of 15 starts. Well traveled, she tallied those wins at Louisiana's Delta Downs, Nebraska's Fonner Park, Wyoming's Energy Downs, and her past three at Colorado's Arapahoe Park.
Tennessee Moon has won 12 times since claimed by Hibdon for $5,000 at Delta Downs last November. She has earned $177,904 and enters Saturday's test off three straight wins at Arapahoe by a combined 31 1/4 lengths.
"She's just gutsy," Hibdon said. "She'll prick her ears and let it roll. She does not want to be beat. I look for that when I'm claiming horses."
Now, Tennessee Moon has brought Hibdon and his family, all of whom are planning to be in attendance, to Churchill for the very first time in his life.
"You get to watch this place—the Kentucky Derby—on TV," Hibdon said. "It's a place we've always wanted to visit, always wanted to run. This was our chance and we took it."
Hibdon said part of Tennessee Moon's success has come from his effort to try to pick out the easiest spots for her. Admitting that this is by no means an easy spot—although she's on the morning line as the 6-1 co-fourth choice in a field of 12—he said he was encouraged by fellow Arapahoe horsemen to take the once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Hibdon and his son, Ronnie, drove Tennessee Moon themselves from Aurora, Colo., stopping overnight in Kansas and arriving around 3 p.m. ET Nov. 14. After getting his barn star bedded down, Hibdon was able to take in the last two races on Churchill's Thursday card.
"It's nothing like I thought it was going to be. It's actually bigger," Hibdon said. "Once you get over to the grandstand, it's huge. I recommend everybody coming over here and visiting; it's really cool."
Even cooler for Hibdon would be an opportunity to visit the track's winner's circle.
"I know she's not Seabiscuit or nothing, but she is to us," Hibdon said. "We have a great time with her, she's probably the best horse I've ever had. To us, she is our Seabiscuit. It's been great.
"A lot of us don't have the big horses that get to run in the big races. This is our big horse. To have the chance to go across the country and run for some pretty good money, what else could you ask for?"
Cravens Enjoying Churchill Downs' Texas Hospitality
When traveling to a track for the first time, it's always nice to see a familiar face. Hibdon had that experience immediately as he found himself stabled just a few stalls down from fellow Texan trainer Ronnie Cravens III.
Cravens, also making his first journey to Churchill Downs, starts Balsa in the $150,000 Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial for Danny Keene's Keene Thoroughbreds.
"It's nostalgic, everything around here," Cravens said of the 150-year-old track. "A lot of classy horses and horsemen. We're excited for Saturday."
Cravens has had plenty of help settling into his new surroundings for the week, thanks to numerous Texas connections that call Churchill Downs home. Among those he said were looking out for him is Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who is stabled in the adjacent barn.
"Everybody's been really accommodating," Cravens said. "We've slipped right in here like a glove."
Cravens claimed Balsa for $30,000 at Oaklawn Park in March with an eye on a future career on turf. He finally got that opportunity this summer and is 3-for-5 on the surface with Cravens, including each of his past two starts at Remington Park.
All those turf starts have come over five furlongs. He will cover 5 1/2 furlongs Saturday.
"He's a good closing sprinter on the turf," Cravens said. "I think the added distance is really going to help him out."
Compton Enjoying Surprise Success With Auto Glide
The Mid-Atlantic is also well represented in the Claiming Crown, and trainer Greg Compton hopes to land the day's biggest prize, the $200,000 Jewel, with Auto Glide.
"I always wanted to have a horse in this race, particularly," Compton said of the 1 1/8-mile event. "It's like the Breeders' Cup Classic for claiming horses."
Auto Glide has been a pleasant surprise for Compton, who co-owns the 4-year-old Tiznow colt with Mark Dean and Mike Cohea. Claimed for $30,000 at Oaklawn Park in January, he has won four of six starts for his new connections—never finishing off the board—while pocketing $266,200. Among his success with Compton came two starts back when he won the Battery Park Stakes by a nose at Delaware Park July 7.
"When we claimed him, we didn't expect to be in this spot. He just looked like a nice, solid condition horse," Compton said. "He's been way better than we ever really expected. Now we're in a spot running a really nice race here at Churchill and hopefully things go our way. He's been a phenomenal horse, one of the better horses that I've ever trained."
Wright Jr. Brings Almost Half His Stable From Canada
The Claiming Crown's reach has also extended to Canada, and trainer Michael Wright Jr. has brought three turf runners he believes have a strong chance to win.
"I think it's amazing to give these horses an opportunity," Wright said. "It gives a lot of hard-knocking claiming horses a chance to have their day. I call this the Breeders' Cup for claimers. It's awesome."
In 1998, Wright's 35-horse barn racked up 13 stakes victories en route to the 21-year-old becoming the youngest in history to win the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Trainer.
Still based at Woodbine, the second-generation trainer keeps a smaller string of seven horses, traveling with nearly half for the Claiming Crown. Rain storms have dampened the Churchill Downs turf course and also delayed their arrival by several hours, but now Wright's contingent is settled in.
Perhaps his best chance comes from Journeyman, the 4-1 third choice in the $175,000 Emerald going 1 1/16 miles on turf. Wright was initially drawn to the Animal Kingdom gelding, whom he co-owns with Angela Rutledge, due to his pedigree and back class.
Bred by Godolphin, he is a son of two-time grade 1 winner Tout Charmant, who was runner-up in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T). As a 3-year-old in 2019, Journeyman finished first in the Canadian Derby (G3) but was disqualified to second due to interference.
When he became available for a $25,000 tag at the start of 2023 at Gulfstream Park, Wright came up empty in a nine-way shake for the gelding. A month later, when he was offered for $35,000, a 10-way shake fell Wright's way and he has had him ever since.
"His pedigree was there. He's a big, good-looking horse and he looked pretty sound," Wright said. "He's the kind of horse I thought would like the Polytrack. Any time you can get a horse who can run on turf or poly, it's a nice horse to have because you're not limited to one race (at Woodbine)."
The 8-year-old is coming to the end of his career. Beginning in 2025, Canada will ban horses age 10 or older from competition, making a win in this year's Claiming Crown important as he will have only one more shot.
"I feel (approaching age) 9 he's just getting into gear. My theory is if they're 9 and still running, chances are they're very sound," Wright said. "It's an unfortunate thing to see a horse like him retire, being sound and athletic like he is."
Wright still has a few years left with his other two runners, who are both 6-year-olds. Rutledge's Perhaps Tonight was claimed by Wright three starts ago for $50,000.
Although winless in seven starts this year, with four runner-up finishes, Perhaps Tonight has kept good company. Loon Cry, who defeated her June 15 in the race Wright made the claim, came back with a pair of stakes victories. Ocean Club, who defeated her at Gulfstream this winter, became a grade 3 winner.
Sitting at 20-1 on the morning line for the $150,000 Tiara, Wright thinks he has a good chance to spring the upset.
"I don't believe she should be 20-1," Wright said. "I think she's kept pretty good company. I don't think she can be overlooked."
The third of Wright's entrants is Cotton, who runs in the Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial. Claimed by Wright for owners Angela and Colin Rutledge in July for $47,500, the Twirling Candy gelding picked up his first win for the barn in his last start covering five furlongs on turf.
"He's going to get an extra half-furlong, which I think is going to be ideal for him," Wright said. "He knows how to get it done."
Bourbon Day Brings Messinas to Claiming Crown
Of course the hometown team is represented, too. In recent years, Brad Cox has not been known as a claiming trainer given his success in stakes company.
However, the Eclipse Award winner went to the claim box for Bourbon Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in February, acquiring the 5-year-old Race Day gelding for $30,000.
George Messina co-owns the horse with Marshall Gramm's Ten Strike Racing. Messina's son, Trace, is an assistant to Cox.
"We were looking hard at Fair Grounds for a horse and we came across him," said Trace Messina. "I had my eye on him for a little bit, watching his races at Evangeline. (His previous connections) brought him to Kentucky, so that gave me confidence that they liked the horse. We took a shot."
The 5-2 second choice on the Jewel's morning line, Bourbon Day has run consecutive 101 Equibase Speed Figures, including a seven-length romp in allowance company at Aqueduct Racetrack Sept. 29. Messina said this spot will be a test, but he is excited that his dad will have the opportunity to compete.
"It's cool to be participating in these races. My dad, he's not a big owner. It's good that he can have his moment," Messina said. "It's good for these claiming guys. Even Brad, at one point he was a claiming trainer and he worked his way up."
