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"The Claim Game" By Bobby D

By Bobby DiBona

GETTING STARTED

BUYING FOR A TAG

Purchasing A Horse At The Track

Like any athlete, horses compete at different levels. The racing secretary at a track will write races with varying conditions, which are eligibility requirements for races. One type of race is the claiming race, in which all horses entered are eligible to be purchased by a licensed owner or indirectly through a trainer (most states do require the owner to be licensed prior to claiming a horse). Claiming races are an easy way for a new owner to get involved.

Claiming races also test a horse s ability. Better quality claiming horses might run for a tag (the purchase price) for as much as $25,000. Other, less talented horses will run for a lower price. The dream of many owners is to claim a horse inexpensively in the hopes that in the right hands, he will be an outstanding runner.

Claiming a horse out of a race is almost like buying a used car. Sometimes you buy a real jewel, and other times, you get a lemon. In essence, you have to know what you re doing when purchasing a horse at a track.

When a trainer enters a horse in a claiming race, he is putting a price on his horse and offering him for sale. He also might be testing the ability of that horse. If the horse wins at that level, the trainer might decide to move him to a higher level, or if he loses, drop him in class.

Turning In A Claim

Should you choose to get involved through the claiming process, there are some important steps you still need to know.

Before a claim can be turned in, the person buying the horse must be approved by the stewards to ensure the buyer is able to accept the financial responsibility.

Once approved, the owner will deposit a copy of the claim certificate with the appropriate person.

The necessary money must be in an account at the racetrack prior to the claim certificate being submitted. Depending on the state, claims must be turned in at least 15 minutes prior to post time. All claims deposited after the deadline are voided.

Be accurate on your claim certificate. It is a binding contract, and errors, such as misspelled words or incorrect prices, will void the claim.

If two or more people claim a horse, a shake will determine who gets the horse.

Once the gates open, the person claiming the horse owns him - win, lose or injury. However, the former owner keeps any purse earnings.

How to Watch Claiming Horse Races:

Most horse races in the United State are claiming races. A claiming race is when an owner enters a horse into a race to be sold for a specific dollar amount. The dollar amount is put into an account with the horseman's bookkeeper. Anyone who meets the criteria of the track can then claim/buy your horse.

Step1

Go to your local track. Chances are that the races are claiming races.

Step2

Check online for tracks in the United States that run claiming races.

Step3

Find the Off-Track Betting establishment in your area and go watch the races. Ask which tracks run claiming races.

Step4

Purchase a Daily Race Form from the local newsstand or at the track. Find the section that describes the type of races running that day.

Step5

Listen to horse enthusiast's talk about the races at different tracks. People who follow the ponies will know which tracks have claiming races.

Step6

Investigate the owners of a horse to find out if their horse runs claiming races. If a specific owner has their horses entered in claiming races, then follow that owner's entries.

Step7

Read as much as you can about stables, riders, trainers and breeders. Certain teams run certain races. Find a claiming race and go.

There you have it now your a PRO right Wrong this is a tuff game and to learn more from Bobby read below.

The Art of the Claim

By Bobby Dibona

Claimed this winter at Gulfstream Park for just $18,000, the 7-year-old Cuba, a son of Not For Love, has been transformed in the care of trainer Bobby Dibona into a graded stakes performer. Before this start he finished fifth in the Iselin (gr. III) at Monmouth Park and third in the $500,000 Mass Cap at Suffolk Downs two weeks ago. He has won six of 10 since changing hands with nine in-the-money finishes.

He has never run a bad race since I claimed him, said Dibona. It is tough not to have confidence. When this race came up on the light side I thought we had to take a shot. He has run well on short rest so it worked out beautiful. He is the coolest horse. He is great to be around; he does everything push button like a champ. Don t you think he didn t know for one minute what was going on today.

PLAYING THE GAME cont:

Most horse races are claiming races, meaning that every horse running can be bought before the gates fly open.

A horse can be claimed for as little as $2,500 at Los Alamitos or as much as $100,000 or more at the three major thoroughbred tracks in Southern California.

Owners enter their horses in races where they think they can win and at high enough levels to discourage other owners from making a claim.

For example, if a horse wins a $16,000 claimer, an owner would almost certainly enter the horse at a higher claiming level in the next race. Otherwise, since the horse has already proved it can win at that level, it would likely be claimed by another owner.

In California, claiming horses is a straightforward process:

•The claiming price is predetermined and listed on each race.

•Claims can be made by licensed owners or anyone who has filed an application for a license and has been granted a certificate authorizing a claim.

•The claim slip must be sealed and deposited in the claim box 15 minutes before the start of the race.

•Title to a claimed horse is vested when the field leaves the starting gate. The horse belongs to the new owner even if it is injured during the race or disqualified.

•If there are two or more claims for the same horse, the new owner is determined by a "shake." Multiple owners are assigned a numbered ball that is put into a shaker and rattled around. The owner whose numbered ball pops out first gets the horse.

See who is King this year?

http://www.claimingcrown.com/index2.htm

CONTACT US TODAY!

Trainer Bobby DiBona winner of 2008 300K Maryland Millions
Classic with CUBA who was claimed for 18K in 2008 at GP and 250K
Pegasus winner ACTINGOOD are looking for a few select clients to join our team as we get ready for the 2009 racing meet at GP Park Partnerships are still available with Leo-Sag Stables, and we also have openings to train the right horses.

Please contact us!

We look forward to hearing from you.

ACTINGOOD Wins again.