Photo:

Courtesy of Churchill Downs

Laughing Boy crossed the finish line a half-length back of Surface to Air in Saturday’s $225,000 Claiming Crown Jewel at Churchill Downs, the most lucrative of eight starter allowance races on the day for the nation’s top claiming-level horses, but the 6-year-old son of Distorted Humor was awarded the first prize when stewards disqualified Surface to Air to fourth place when it was deemed he cost Welaka a placing for interference inside the final furlong.

The Jewel, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up that raced for a claiming price of $35,000 or less in 2023-24, headlined Saturday’s 26th annual Claiming Crown, which was staged at Churchill Downs for the second time. Inaugurated in 1999 at Canterbury Park in Minnesota, the Claiming Crown showcases eight races with starter allowance conditions and a super-charged total of $1.1 million in prize money for some of the most competitive, blue-collar horses in the country.

Laughing Boy dictated the early pace and the led the field of nine older horses through fractions of 24.10, 49.58 and 1:14.25. Leaving the final turn, Welaka, between horses, and Surface to Air, with a three-wide move, drew even with Laughing Boy and the trio were set down for a battle down the stretch.

Surface to Air, ridden by Fernando Jara who is best known for riding Invasor to victory in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs and Jazil in the 2006 Belmont Stakes (GI), grabbed the lead with an eighth of a mile to run but shifted into the path of 47-1 longshot Welaka, who was third at the time, when Jara went to a right-handed crop.

Surface to Air stopped the teletimer in 1:50.47 for 1 1/8 miles over the fast track. Hurry Hurry closed from last to finish a neck back of the runner-up Laughing Boy and 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Welaka, who ended up fourth.

Following a stewards’ inquiry and a claim of foul by Welaka’s jockey Adam Beschizza, Surface to Air was placed behind Welaka and the others ahead of him were promoted one position on the podium. 

Laughing Boy, ridden by Samuel Camacho Jr. and trained by David Jacobson, was awarded $127,000 for first and improved his record to 33:-5-4-5 with $500,738 in earnings for his owners Lawrence P. Roman and Jacobson. He paid $23.02.

“This race wasn’t originally on our plans but I saw he was eligible for it,” Jacobson said. “I wasn’t quite sure if I’d have him ready to go a mile-and-an-eighth. He ran a great race. It’s been the second time in three races he’s been placed first. Sometimes in racing it’s good to have some luck on your side.”

Hurry Hurry, ridden by Jose Ortiz, returned $4.88 and $2.76. Welaka paid $16.16 to show.

After Surface to Air was placed fourth, it was Guntown, mild 3-1 favorite Money Supply, Bourbon Day, Spoiler and Auto Glide to complete the order of finish. General Mathis, Winston Wolf, Beyond Best, Gilded Craken and Big Dreaming were scratched.

Laughing Boy is out of the Congrats mare Applauding and was bred in Kentucky by Imagine.