Under 20s Claiming Challenge returns for Aqueduct winter/spring meets

by Keith McCalmont

The Under 20’s Claiming Challenge will return for the upcoming winter and spring meets at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The program, launched in 2018 and open to local trainers with 20 or fewer horses nationwide, will begin on December 10, Opening Day of the 56-day winter meet which runs through March 28, and continue through the end of the 11-day Big A spring meet set to run April 1 to April 18.

The top-eight trainers in the contest will share a prize pool of $80,000, with the winner receiving $16,000. Stall allotments for the Aqueduct winter meet will be used to determine eligible trainers.

Trainers earn points based on their horses' performances in all winners' claiming races on the main track at Aqueduct from December 10 through the end of the Big A spring meet. Points will be tallied and records verified on April 19, and awards will be granted thereafter.

To retain eligibility, there can be no more than 20 horses on a trainer's roster at any given time, although a trainer's stable may grow above 20 horses through claiming activity. But not all horses will eligible for the contest, and only roster horses can earn points. A trainer may replace a claimed horse who was on their roster with another claimed horse. After a horse is claimed, it will be added to the trainer's roster only at the trainer's request.

Horses in for a tag in an allowance optional claiming race will qualify for contest points. Points are not earned in maiden, allowance, starter allowance or stakes races.

A horse that ends up on the stewards’ list for poor performance will not earn the trainer points for that race. Horses that are running for 50 percent or less of the claiming price from their most recent start will only be eligible to earn 50 percent of the typical points for that race.

In addition, horses can only earn contest points for two races within a given 30-day time period. A horse may enter in additional races during that timeframe but will not earn contest points for those additional races.

Contest Point Structure:

Dirt Races - All claiming races for winners, including horses in for an optional tag:

1st Place - 6 points

2nd Place - 5 points

3rd Place - 4 points

4th Place - 3 points

5th Place - 2 points

Trainer Bonuses:

The top-eight trainers in the contest will share in a prize pool of $80,000:

1st Place - $16,000

2nd Place - $14,000

3rd Place - $12,000