Claimbox: Claiming up in February
Photo by The Racing Biz.
by Frank Vespe
The volume of claiming activity in the mid-Atlantic increased by more than five percent in February versus the prior month — and that meant it was over 70 percent above the numbers recorded in the same month a year ago.
Overall, the region saw 170 horses claimed for a total of a bit more than $1.6 million. That compared favorably to January’s numbers, when 161 horses were claimed with a gross value of a bit less than $1.6 million.
While the January-February numbers were basically similar, there was no comparison at all between those of February 2017 and February 2016. In February 2016, the region’s operating racetracks saw just 97 horses claimed, worth a combined total of $949,500.
The biggest change came at Parx Racing, which, between its planned late opening and weather-related cancellations, saw just nine horses claimed in February a year ago. This year, operating a three-day-per-week schedule, the Bensalem, PA track saw 72 horses claimed — eight times as many. That number, though, was a bit behind the 79 claimed there in January.
As a result, through two months, claiming activity in the region is more than 50 percent ahead of what it was a year ago, with 331 horses claimed through two months versus 211 in the comparable period of 2016. The value of those claims has risen 51.5 percent, to more than $3.2 million thus far in 2017.
While Parx Racing in February led the region in the number of horses claimed and the total value of those claims ($678,500), it was Laurel Park that posted the highest average claim value. The track saw 49 horses claimed in February (versus 48 in January) with a combined value of $564,500; that yielded an average of $11,520, well above the regional average of $9,547.
Penn National saw the number of horses claimed there double in February versus the prior month, with 33 horses changing hands via the claimbox, versus 16 in January, and a gross value of $253,000, also more than double the prior month. At Charles Town Races, 16 horses were claimed in February, off slightly from 18 in January.
The Claimbox report is based on Equibase statistics and covers Laurel Park, Pimlico, Timonium, Charles Town, Delaware Park, Parx Racing, Penn National, Monmouth Park, and the Meadowlands.
CLAIMING TRAINERS FOR THE MONTH
Who’s claiming horses
- Michael Pino — 8 claims for $72,500.00
- Mark Reid — 6 claims for $91,000.00
- Jamie Ness — 6 claims for $90,000.00
- Kieron Magee — 6 for $65,000.00
- Juan Vazquez — 6 for $60,000.00
- Mario Serey, Jr. — 4 claims for $42,500.00
- Scott Lake — 4 for $24,500.00
- 8 tied with 3 claims each
Overall, 100 trainers claimed at least one horse.
Who’s losing horses
- Scott Lake — 9 lost for $81,250.00
- Mark Reid — 4 lost for $63,500.00
- Jamie Ness — 4 lost for $57,500.00
- Jeff Runco — 4 lost for $45,500.00
- Brandon Kulp — 4 lost for $30,250.00
- 10 tied with three horses lost
Overall, 111 trainers had at least one horse claimed away from them.
CLAIMING TRAINERS YEAR-TO-DATE
Rank | Trainer | Claims | Value of Claims | Avg. Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ness, Jamie | 14 | $159,500.00 | $11,392.86 |
| 2 | Pino, Michael V. | 13 | $133,000.00 | $10,230.77 |
| 3 | Magee, Kieron | 12 | $113,500.00 | $9,458.33 |
| 4 | Vazquez, Juan C. | 11 | $110,500.00 | $10,045.45 |
| 5 | Lake, Scott A. | 9 | $59,500.00 | $6,611.11 |
| 6 | Serey, Jr., Mario | 8 | $78,500.00 | $9,812.50 |
| 7 | McMahon, Hugh I. | 7 | $97,500.00 | $13,928.57 |
| 8 | Kreiser, Timothy C. | 7 | $63,500.00 | $9,071.43 |
| 9 | Graci, Kimberly A | 7 | $38,000.00 | $5,428.57 |
| 10 | Zulueta, Marcos | 6 | $137,500.00 | $22,916.67 |
| 11 | Reid, Mark J. | 6 | $91,000.00 | $15,166.67 |
| 12 | Eppler, Mary E. | 6 | $85,500.00 | $14,250.00 |
| 13 | Runco, Jeff C. | 6 | $57,500.00 | $9,583.33 |
| 14 | Velazquez, Alfredo | 6 | $48,750.00 | $8,125.00 |
| 15 | Farro, Patricia | 5 | $53,500.00 | $10,700.00 |
| 16 | Schoenthal, Phil | 4 | $71,000.00 | $17,750.00 |
| 17 | Moore, Michael M. | 4 | $57,500.00 | $14,375.00 |
| 18 | Gonzalez, Claudio A. | 4 | $56,000.00 | $14,000.00 |
| 19 | Guerrero, Juan Carlos | 4 | $41,000.00 | $10,250.00 |
| 20 | Brown, Ronney W. | 4 | $38,000.00 | $9,500.00 |
| 21 | Wong, Jonathan | 4 | $32,500.00 | $8,125.00 |
| 22 | Milian, Carlos J. | 4 | $27,500.00 | $6,875.00 |
| 23 | Vega, Richard | 3 | $42,000.00 | $14,000.00 |
| 24 | Haynes, Ernest M. | 3 | $33,000.00 | $11,000.00 |
| 25 | Allen, III, A. Ferris | 3 | $32,000.00 | $10,666.67 |
| 26 | Potts, Wayne | 3 | $27,500.00 | $9,166.67 |
| 27 | Sillaman, Richard P. | 3 | $26,000.00 | $8,666.67 |
| 28 | Rodriguez, John M. | 3 | $25,500.00 | $8,500.00 |
| 29 | Estrada, Eberd | 3 | $22,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 30 | Robb, John J. | 3 | $20,000.00 | $6,666.67 |
| 31 | Kantarmaci, Mertkan | 3 | $20,000.00 | $6,666.67 |
| 32 | Beattie, Stephanie S. | 3 | $17,000.00 | $5,666.67 |
| 33 | Trombetta, Michael J. | 3 | $15,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 34 | Reid, Jr., Robert E. | 2 | $56,000.00 | $28,000.00 |
| 35 | Wolfendale, Howard E. | 2 | $31,000.00 | $15,500.00 |
| 36 | Martin, Silvio L. | 2 | $30,000.00 | $15,000.00 |
| 37 | Gaffney, Hubert | 2 | $29,000.00 | $14,500.00 |
| 38 | Magill, Patrick J. | 2 | $27,000.00 | $13,500.00 |
| 39 | Comi, Jr., Ralph W. | 2 | $25,000.00 | $12,500.00 |
| 40 | Demasi, Kathleen A. | 2 | $24,000.00 | $12,000.00 |
| 41 | McClellan, Erin C. | 2 | $21,250.00 | $10,625.00 |
| 42 | Martin, Sandee D. | 2 | $20,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 43 | Noble, James F. | 2 | $20,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 44 | Rojas, Eduardo E. | 2 | $19,000.00 | $9,500.00 |
| 45 | Wyner, Harold | 2 | $18,000.00 | $9,000.00 |
| 46 | Brooks, Gerald E. | 2 | $17,500.00 | $8,750.00 |
| 47 | Blue, Jr., Harvey L. | 2 | $17,500.00 | $8,750.00 |
| 48 | Vera, Miguel | 2 | $17,500.00 | $8,750.00 |
| 49 | Velazquez, Daniel | 2 | $17,500.00 | $8,750.00 |
| 50 | Walters, Henry | 2 | $17,500.00 | $8,750.00 |
| 51 | Goetz, Derrick J. | 2 | $16,000.00 | $8,000.00 |
| 52 | Dandy, Ronald J. | 2 | $15,500.00 | $7,750.00 |
| 53 | Guerrero, Melecio Saldana | 2 | $15,000.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 54 | McMahon, Demelza | 2 | $14,000.00 | $7,000.00 |
| 55 | Worton, Dorothy Elisabeth | 2 | $14,000.00 | $7,000.00 |
| 56 | Serey, Juan | 2 | $12,500.00 | $6,250.00 |
| 57 | Hadry, Charles J. | 2 | $12,000.00 | $6,000.00 |
| 58 | Stickler, Jr., Lester J. | 2 | $11,250.00 | $5,625.00 |
| 59 | Farrior, Anthony | 2 | $11,000.00 | $5,500.00 |
| 60 | Burton, Tim | 2 | $10,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 61 | Joy, Kevin J. | 2 | $10,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 62 | Hammond, Heath | 2 | $9,000.00 | $4,500.00 |
| 63 | Smith, Hamilton A. | 1 | $25,000.00 | $25,000.00 |
| 64 | Agnew, Naoise | 1 | $25,000.00 | $25,000.00 |
| 65 | Shuman, Mark | 1 | $25,000.00 | $25,000.00 |
| 66 | Aro, Michael Charles | 1 | $20,000.00 | $20,000.00 |
| 67 | Nations, Keith | 1 | $20,000.00 | $20,000.00 |
| 68 | Coletti, Jr., Edward J. | 1 | $16,000.00 | $16,000.00 |
| 69 | Mick, Stephen R. | 1 | $15,000.00 | $15,000.00 |
| 70 | Maldonado, Jonathan | 1 | $15,000.00 | $15,000.00 |
| 71 | Gazzier, Kristy | 1 | $12,500.00 | $12,500.00 |
| 72 | Coker, Jr., Gerald A. | 1 | $12,500.00 | $12,500.00 |
| 73 | Tracey, Ray | 1 | $12,500.00 | $12,500.00 |
| 74 | Kulp, Brandon L. | 1 | $12,500.00 | $12,500.00 |
| 75 | Albright, Amy | 1 | $12,500.00 | $12,500.00 |
| 76 | Stowers, Michelle | 1 | $11,000.00 | $11,000.00 |
| 77 | Gaudet, Lacey | 1 | $11,000.00 | $11,000.00 |
| 78 | Iannotti, IV, Thomas | 1 | $11,000.00 | $11,000.00 |
| 79 | Reese, Cynthia G. | 1 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 80 | McFarlane, Brandon | 1 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 81 | Hartsell, Jr., John J. | 1 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 82 | Lyon, Robert A. | 1 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 83 | Egan, Jason | 1 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 84 | Gory, Mark | 1 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 85 | Houghton, Roy D. | 1 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 86 | Pessanha, Ney | 1 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 87 | Greaves, Vernon | 1 | $8,000.00 | $8,000.00 |
| 88 | Woodhouse, Martin | 1 | $8,000.00 | $8,000.00 |
| 89 | Stites, Flint W. | 1 | $8,000.00 | $8,000.00 |
| 90 | Rathman, Elisha | 1 | $8,000.00 | $8,000.00 |
| 91 | Boyer, Jr., David J. | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 92 | Polachek, Janet | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 93 | Dymond, Amanda | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 94 | Pinkney, Dave | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 95 | Doran, Carl | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 96 | Frock, Charles L. | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 97 | Penaloza, Miguel | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 98 | Pearce, Penny | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 99 | Glorioso, Ronald S. | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 100 | Caraballo, Wilfredo V. | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 101 | Montoya, Marya K. | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 102 | Castillo, Michelle | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 103 | Abrams, Ronald B. | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 104 | Mosco, Robert | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 105 | Landicini, Jr., Chris | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 106 | Reed, Candace | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 107 | Rodriguez, Miguel A. | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 108 | Allen, Randy | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 109 | St. Lewis, Uriah | 1 | $7,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 110 | Barr, Donald H. | 1 | $6,500.00 | $6,500.00 |
| 111 | Salvaggio, Jr., Michael W. | 1 | $6,250.00 | $6,250.00 |
| 112 | Beattie, Cody | 1 | $6,250.00 | $6,250.00 |
| 113 | Bayley, Randy | 1 | $6,250.00 | $6,250.00 |
| 114 | Hess, Jacob G. | 1 | $6,000.00 | $6,000.00 |
| 115 | Atkins, William Earl | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 116 | Ashton, Patrick | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 117 | Correa, Alex A. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 118 | Adams, Douglas S. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 119 | Aristone, Philip T. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 120 | Moschonas, Gerasimos | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 121 | Wilson, Brenda | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 122 | Taylor, Joseph | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 123 | Tapsas, Elias | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 124 | Salzman, Jr., John E. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 125 | Rodriguez, Mario Rafael | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 126 | Rodriguez, Jose S. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 127 | Robinson, Catherine H. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 128 | Ramirez, Jose A. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 129 | Popovich, James A. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 130 | Lynch, Cathal A. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 131 | Patterson, Kevin S. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 132 | Eubanks, Annette M. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 133 | Madrigal, Sr., Rodrigo | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 134 | Hollahan, Heather | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 135 | Figgins, III, Ollie L. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 136 | Geist, David W. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 137 | Guerrero, J. Guadalupe | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 138 | Helmetag, Robert P. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 139 | Herbert, James | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 140 | Houghton, Dove P. | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 141 | Kopp, Glenn | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 142 | Leaf, Jr., Robert | 1 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 143 | Progno, Christopher | 1 | $4,500.00 | $4,500.00 |
| 144 | Contreras, Javier | 1 | $4,500.00 | $4,500.00 |
| 145 | Jones, Jr., Michael E. | 1 | $4,500.00 | $4,500.00 |
| 146 | Acquilano, James S. | 1 | $4,500.00 | $4,500.00 |
| 147 | Randolph, Amy | 1 | $4,000.00 | $4,000.00 |
| 148 | Lingenfelter, Thomas H. | 1 | $4,000.00 | $4,000.00 |
| 149 | Miller, Craig S. | 1 | $4,000.00 | $4,000.00 |
| 150 | Caruso, Nick Joseph | 1 | $4,000.00 | $4,000.00 |
| 151 | Reck, Christopher R. | 1 | $4,000.00 | $4,000.00 |
