Fair Grounds Picks: Claiming Crown, Saturday, December 2

Saturday, December 2 will see the running of the Claiming Crown at Fair Grounds. The event was created as a Breeders’ Cup for horses who have started for a claiming price. The following guide will provide Fair Grounds picks and analysis to improve your Claiming Crown play.

Claiming Crown

One of the toughest parts of the sport of horse racing is the short careers of the superstars. The lucrative breeding business means that many of the most talented runners are worth more at stud than they are on the track.

The result is that the greatest talents are off the track after a handful of starts.

Heartbeat of the Game

The same isn’t true for the majority of horses around the country who run for a claiming tag. In claiming races, horses are literally for sale during the race. These horses tend to run a lot and have much longer careers than their stakes counterparts.

It is these horses that players and fans can truly follow and fall in love with. Enter Fair Grounds Claiming Crown.

Claiming Crown Event

In order to honor these hard trying unsung heroes of the game, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) created an event called the Claiming Crown. The event is series of races that are only open to horses who have started in the claiming ranks.

The result is a really fun day of racing comprised of the hardest trying runners in the game. This year’s contest will be held at Fair Grounds.

Full Card Analysis

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 1

Post: 12:45 PM CT; $17k Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 SERENADINGTHEMOON (4-1) claims the top selection, presenting a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #7 CCED FOR STEPH (5-2), the class of the field, is poised to be competitive.
• #3 SWEET LITTLE ROSE (5-1), running for Hodges and Graham, is a fringe contender ready to make a mid-pack run.
• #6 WAR TOURIST (7-2), likely to be part of the early pace, is a fringe contender proven to handle these conditions.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 3 – 6

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 2

Post: 1:15 PM CT; $52k Maiden Special Weight going 1 m on turf; Entries: 16

• #2 WHIMSICALLY (3-1) takes the top selection, with the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #12 WAY TO BE MARIE (4-1), guided by Geroux, is a fringe contender ready to make an impact.
• #13 MISS HARMONIC (8-1), running for Forster and Lanerie, is a fringe contender with the potential to surprise.
• #3 WITHOUT CAUSE (10-1), a price horse coming in good form, is a solid choice to put underneath on most tickets.

Selections: 2 – 12 – 13 – 3

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 3

Post: 1:45 PM CT; $75k Starter Allowance going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 12

• #3 CARAMEL CHIP (4-1) secures the top selection, holding the top overall power rating and showing solidity in recent starts.
• #5 CONCRETE GLORY (5-2), a major player, may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #8 JUNIOR BUG (9-2), guided by Arrieta, is set to be competitive in this spot.
• #11 BEVERLY PARK (12-1), a price horse, isn’t without hope and is ready to make a mid-pack run.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 8 – 11

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 4

Post: 2:15 PM CT; $100k Starter Allowance going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 10

• #7 HASHTAG LUCKY (10-1), a price horse, takes the top selection and shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #2 INVALUABLE (4-1), likely in the first flight of runners, is a solid contender making sense on speed figures.
• #6 CHOCTAW BINGO (10-1), a price horse, feels like a fringe contender and may benefit from a hot pace.
• #4 SAMARITA (9-5), making sense on speed figures, is set to be competitive and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 6 – 4

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 5

Post: 2:45 PM CT; $150k Starter Allowance going 1 1/16 m on turf; Entries: 9

• #7 PERHAPS TONIGHT (3-1) secures the top selection, having run against decent competition and potentially benefiting from a hot pace.
• #2 YANKEE DOLLAR (9-2), with the top overall power rating, isn’t without hope and adds excitement.
• #3 ANATOLIAN (8-1), the class of the field, is solid and ready to run a big one.
• #8 STRONG ODOR (4-1), a good choice to put underneath, runs for the Maker barn and Gutierrez.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 3 – 8

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 6

Post: 3:15 PM CT; $75k Starter Allowance going 1 1/16 m on dirt; Entries: 13

• #4 TIME FOR TROUBLE (7-2) takes the top selection, showcasing as the class of the field.
• #1 CASEYS MEMORY (15-1), a price horse, is competitive and shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #13 PROVERB (4-1), another class contender, has a shot in this race.
• #11 COACH ADAMS (6-1) is a fringe contender and could make a late impact.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 13 – 11

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 7

Post: 3:45 PM CT; $150k Starter Allowance going 5 1/2 f on turf; Entries: 14

• #2 MISCHIEVOUS ROGUE (3-1) claims the top selection, being really solid in recent starts and ready to run a big one.
• #7 BRING ME A CHECK (9-2) is set to be competitive, running races good enough to beat this group.
• #11 COTTON (8-1) is another competitive contender, making sense on speed figures.
• #1 ZOOMBIE (12-1), a price horse, isn’t without hope and will likely be part of the early pace.

Selections: 2 – 7 – 11 – 1

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 8

Post: 4:15 PM CT; $100k Starter Allowance going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 11

• #9 LIKE A SALTSHAKER (9-5) secures the top selection, running races good enough to beat this group and holding the top overall power rating.
• #8 SOLIDIFY (9-2) is a major player, likely to benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #3 ALL WEST (6-1) is another major player, making sense on speed figures.
• #5 STARTDFROMDABOTTOM (8-1) is set to be competitive, likely to be in the first flight of runners.

Selections: 9 – 8 – 3 – 5

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 9

Post: 4:45 PM CT; $150k Starter Allowance going 1 1/16 m on turf; Entries: 12

• #11 THERAPIST (9-5) claims the top selection, rolling late with a good closing kick.
• #8 TIBERIUS MERCURIUS (6-1), likely part of the early pace, is a fringe contender ready for the distance.
• #6 TATANKA (10-1), a price horse, has proven abilities to handle these conditions.
• #4 BIZZEE CHANNEL (10-1) is another price horse running for the minor placings.

Selections: 11 – 8 – 6 – 4

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 10

Post: 5:15 PM CT; $200k Starter Allowance going 1 1/8 m on dirt; Entries: 9

• #3 SAQEEL (3-1) secures the top selection, being really solid in recent starts and ready to run a big one.
• #5 FROSTED GRACE (7-2) is a major player, running races good enough to beat this group.
• #2 MONEY SUPPLY (5-2) is another major player, having run against decent competition.
• #4 KING’S OVATION (4-1) is set to be competitive, making sense on speed figures and with tactical speed.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 2 – 4

Fair Grounds Picks- Race 11

Post: 5:45 PM CT; $53k Allowance going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 12

• #12 KING’S LUTE (7-2) secures the top selection, not having trouble with the distance and proving abilities in previous starts.
• #5 LIKE THIS (3-1) is a major player, making sense on speed figures and holding the top overall power rating.
• #8 GUTZY (8-1) has a shot in this race with tactical speed and a fair pace scenario.
• #6 COMANCHE WARRIOR (9-2) is a fringe contender, running evenly and benefiting from a fair pace.

Selections: 12 – 5 – 8 – 6

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select racing cards throughout the week.

Saturday

• Fair Grounds Picks featuring the Claiming Crown
• Aqueduct Picks featuring the Grade 2 Cigar Mile
• Del Mar Picks featuring the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby

Sunday

• Del Mar Picks featuring the Grade 1 Matriarch

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