Antrim County captured his second consecutive Claiming Crown event, this time turning in a gritty performance to win the $150,000 Claiming Crown Jewel by a neck July 25 at Canterbury Park.
A 6-year-old son of Giant's Causeway —Bright Feather, by Fappiano, Antrim County won the Claiming Crown Iron Horse a year ago, but this time took the 1 1/8-mile Jewel, the feature of the seven-race Claiming Crown series in Minnesota. It was the 15th win in 52 lifetime starts for the chestnut gelding.
Ridden by Jamie Theriot for trainer Bret Calhoun, Antrim County took on pacesetter Glamour Guy (:24.49 opening quarter) at the half-mile marker and those two were locked in a duel until the top of the stretch. Glamour Guy began to tire at the eighth-pole, leaving Antrim County with what looked like a comfortable advantage. But Fancy Runner snuck through along the rail under Jeremy Rose and continued his charge at the leader.
Fancy Runner finally ran down Antrim County in deep stretch to gain a narrow lead, but the gutty gelding fought back with only a few yards remaining and regained his advantage just before the wire. The final time on the ‘fast’ main track was 1:50.77.
Fancy Runner settled for second, 4 1/2 lengths in front of third-place Glamour Guy.
Bred in Kentucky by Overbook Farm, Antrim County has been claimed six times in his career, most recently last November at Churchill Downs for $50,000 by Calhoun for Carl Moore Management. Since that claim, he has won six of 12 starts, including three times this season. Overall, Antrim County has earned $416,630.
The winner paid $10.80, $4.60 and $3.80. The exacta (5-4) returned $70.80 and the trifecta (5-4-6) was $251.40.
Odds-on favorite Furthest Land finished fourth.
