About six weeks ago I wrote about Crown Over, a four year old gelding who was claimed for $25k out of Race 9 at Golden Gate Fields on August 25 by Trainer James Kasparoff. Since Crown Over had left the gate that day at Final Odds of 32.2-1, I was intrigued that a horse that the public viewed as totally over-matched at that class level would be claimed for that price (if you follow this blog regularly, you already know that fascination with longshot claims is a recurring theme).
On Saturday, October 6, Crown Over made his first start off the claim for Kasparoff, running down the hill in Race 7 at Santa Anita Park. The race was a Starter Allowance (NW2L), so it was a step up the class ladder for Crown Over, who went to Post at Final Odds of 12.9-1. According to the chart caller, Crown Over broke ninth, pulled early, was steadied, closed fast on the inside, and finished seventh, three and three quarter lengths behind the winner, Bev N Bud (5.5-1).
Crown Over's seventh place finish was worth $350 in purse money to his new connections, so he still a ways to go before he brings back that $25k investment to Kasparoff. Or maybe he doesn't. Note that when Crown Over was claimed on August 25, Kasparoff was named as both the new trainer and the new owner. But the chart for Saturday's race lists the owner as Calvin Nguyen. So perhaps Kasparoff has already made his money back on a private sale; or, maybe it was Nguyen's claim all along, and Kasparoff was listed as the new owner as a snafu, or perhaps simply to expedite the paperwork (by the way, if anyone reading this has the full story, please fill us in via the comment section; or, if you prefer, you can just shoot me an email).
Anyway, I'll be keeping Crown Over on my watch list, if for no other reason than to see if he ever does return back the $25k that was shelled out to get him to change barns. Anyone want to offer a prediction on whether or not he'll turn a profit before he changes connections again?
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
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