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Kantarmaci leading Under 20's Claiming Challenge

by NYRA Press Office

With five weeks remaining in the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci holds a 27-point lead in the New York Racing Association's (NYRA) unique 'Under 20's Claiming Challenge,' which offers local trainers an opportunity to compete for cash prizes totaling up to $80,000.

A total of 37 conditioners are taking part in the claiming challenge, open to trainers with 20 or fewer horses. Trainers earn points based on their horses' performances in all winners' claiming races at Aqueduct through the close of the winter meet on March 31.

As of February 22, Kantarmaci had amassed 80 points to establish a strong lead over David Cannizzo (53 points) in second. Rules for the unique contest dictate that points are awarded to the top-five finishers in claiming races for winners, with six points awarded to the winner down to two points for a fifth-place finish.

"We really want to win the challenge," said Kantarmaci. "It would be a good success for us in our first year here in New York."

The 27-year-old Kantarmaci, a native of Turkey, arrived in the U.S. in 2016 and hung up his shingle at Parx Racing in Pennsylvania where he won his first race with She's Gifted in March of that year.

Kantarmaci moved his business to New York last year and finished eighth in the inaugural claiming challenge, which launched in April at the Belmont spring/summer meet.

He currently sits in pole position for the $18,000 winner's share of the claiming challenge prize.

At the end of the contest, the top eight trainers will share in the prize, with $15,000 awarded to the runner-up; $13,000 for third; $11,000 for fourth; $9,000 for fifth; $7,000 for sixth; $4,000 for seventh; and $3,000 for eighth.

On Friday, Satin Sheets, claimed by Kantarmaci for $10,000 on February 9, came back to win at the $12,500 level.

"So far everything is going good," he said. "We started with six or seven runners and now we're up to 14 horses. We've won good races by claiming horses and moving them into higher spots. We're doing very well so far."

Kantarmaci comes from a racing family. His father, Tuncay, is a well-regarded trainer in their native Turkey and his brother Illkay is an integral part of the New York stable.

Together, Kantarmaci said the family hope to grow the stable.

"We are going to go up to 20 or 25 horses. In Turkey, my dad had two full barns and almost 80 horses. We are coming from a good background because my dad was the leading trainer back home," said Kantarmaci. "My brother follows the paperwork and tells me which horses we need to look at, and the last decision I make after I've seen the horse in the paddock."

As a former jockey with wins to his credit in Turkey and Russia, Kantarmaci, who gallops his own stock in the morning, said his hands-on approach to horsemanship is one of the keys to success thus far.

"We go with whatever the horse needs. We don't have a specific training schedule. We can be flexible for the horse, and I am always on them," said Kantarmaci. "I exercise them and decide what I like and what I don't like. Whatever help they need, we take care of."

While Kantarmaci said he may have once dreamed of being a jockey, he is now focused on becoming a leading trainer in New York.

"I used to ride but I gained a little weight and got a little taller. Now, I put everything into training. I'm really hungry to learn about the horses," he said.

And the conditioner noted that he and his family are committed to putting in the long hours and hard work required to make it on the NYRA circuit.

"We give nearly 15 hours each day at the barn," said Kantarmaci. "We have breakfast and lunch at the barn and nearly dinner too. We don't pay attention to social life right now. We love the horses. It's how we grew up."

Under 20's Claiming Challenge Top 3 as of February 22, 2019
1. Mertkan Kantarmaci- 80 pts
2. David Cannizzo - 53
3. Randi Persaud - 48

For additional information on the Under 20's Claiming Challenge, please visit: https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/horsemen/under-20%E2%80%99s-claiming-challenge