Like a Saltshaker Named 2024 Claiming Crown Horse of the Year

[Wandering Eyes]

Like a Saltshaker (Peace and Justice) was named the Claiming Crown Horse of the Year by Claiming Crown co-founders National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (NHBPA) and the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (TOBA).

Like a Saltshaker, who cemented his title with a narrow win in last fall's $140,000 Claiming Crown Rapit Transit at Churchill Downs, will be honored at the annual TOBA Awards Dinner on Sept. 6 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington.

Trained by Brittany Vanden Berg, the gelding was campaigned by Marisco Brothers Racing, who claimed the Pennsylvania-bred for $10,000 on May 14, 2023. With 18 wins to his credit and $606,161 in career earnings, the 7-year-old was bred by Glenn Brok in Pennsylvania.

The Claiming Crown Horse of the Year is selected by the National HBPA's Industry Awards Committee chaired by Todd Mostoller, the Pennsylvania HBPA's executive director.

The 2025 Claiming Crown, totaling $1.1 million in purses, will be held Nov. 15 at Churchill Downs. Colonial Downs is hosting an eight-race Claiming Crown Showcase Day on Thursday, Aug. 21, at Virginia's track in New Kent, offering $550,000 in purses. The top two finishers in those races will receive an automatic berth in the corresponding Claiming Crown race in Louisville. The winner of each race will also receive a travel stipend from the Virginia HBPA of up to $2,000, provided the horse starts in the Claiming Crown championship race.

The deadline is Oct. 25 to request Claiming Crown eligibility for a horse to run in the Nov. 15 races at Churchill Downs, accompanied by a $250 administrative fee per horse per race. Late eligibility requests will be considered up to Nov. 8 (the day of entries) for a $1,250 administrative fee.

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