According to our latest Claimbox report, claiming activity in the mid-Atlantic slowed this week, as the summer nears its conclusion.  Six tracks operating in the region saw double-digit percentage declines in the number of horses claimed and their gross value, while average and median values were essentially flat.

A total of 60 horses were claimed from races at Charles Town, Delaware, Monmouth, Parx, Penn National, and new shooter Timonium, down from 69 the prior week, a drop of about 13 percent and marking the fewest claims in a week since mid-July.  Similarly, the value of those horses claimed was down about 12.4 percent, to $679,000.  The average moved less than one percent, and the median was flat.

Parx and Monmouth were the region’s busiest tracks.  The former saw 20 horses change hands, with a gross value of $219,000, both tops, with the latter just behind; 17 horses with a gross value of $216,000 were claimed there.  Though it had  just four horses claimed, Delaware had the highest average price, of more than $21,000.

Scott Lake claimed four horses to lead all trainers, and his $69,000 in claims was also tops.  On the other side of the ledger, Patricia Farro led in both categories, having lost three horses with a combined value of $36,000.