FILLY & MARE SPRINT ADDED TO COLONIAL DOWNS’ CLAIMING CROWN PREVIEW NOMINATIONS CLOSE TODAY
Posted on August 5th, 2026
Curlin’s Malibu and Next Girl parlayed Claiming Crown Preview victories at Colonial Downs in 2025 into victories at the Claiming Crown Championships at Churchill Downs. (Photo credit: Coady Media)
Curlin’s Malibu and Next Girl parlayed Claiming Crown Preview victories at Colonial Downs in 2025 into victories at the Claiming Crown Championships at Churchill Downs. (Photo credit: Coady Media)
NEW KENT, Va. (Aug 5, 2026) —Colonial Downs’ Claiming Crown Preview Day has expanded to nine stakes-style starter handicap races with the addition of the $62,500 Jackie H. Starter Handicap for fillies and mares which have started for a claiming price of $16,000 or less in 2025-26.
The new six-furlong race is the qualifying counterpart to the $100,000 Claiming Crown Empress, which debuts Nov. 14 at Churchill Downs. The addition gives filly and mare sprinters another pathway to the Claiming Crown, which returns for its 28th running this year after being established in 1999 to celebrate the hard-knocking claiming horses that form the backbone of Thoroughbred racing.
Colonial Downs will host the second edition of its Claiming Crown Preview Day on Saturday, Aug. 22, with nine qualifying races offering purses ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. The top two finishers in each Preview race earn an automatic berth into the corresponding Claiming Crown race at Churchill Downs, while Preview winners who compete there on Nov. 14 will receive a $2,000 travel stipend from the Virginia HBPA.
Presented in partnership with the National HBPA, TOBA and the Virginia HBPA, the Preview serves as the official qualifying event for the Claiming Crown. Last year, Colonial Preview winners Next Girl and Curlin’s Malibu completed the Colonial-Churchill double in their respective divisions.
“The addition of the Empress and its Colonial Downs qualifier creates another outstanding opportunity for owners and trainers while continuing to grow the Claiming Crown,” said National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback. “Because the Claiming Crown races consistently overfill, Colonial’s (Preview Day) gives horsemen a chance to compete for strong purses while securing their place at Churchill Downs.”
Nominations for all Claiming Crown Preview Day races close today, Wednesday, Aug. 5. There is no cost to nominate, enter or start in the Preview races, which are conducted as starter handicaps and require horses to be nominated to receive weights. Owners and trainers are encouraged to nominate eligible horses before today’s deadline for the Aug. 22 card.
The nine-race Aug. 22 Preview is highlighted by the $100,000 Jewel Qualifier Starter Handicap, contested at 1 1/8 miles for horses which have started for a claiming price of $35,000 or less in 2025-26, and includes the new $62,500 Jackie H. Starter Handicap. Contact the Colonial Downs racing office at (804) 557-5458 to nominate.
