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Explanation of Optional Claiming Races An OPTIONAL CLAIMING race is one restricted to horses running or having previously run for a stated claiming price, and the term OPTIONAL CLAIMING means just what the name implies, the owner having the option of entering his horse for a price eligible to band claimed or not entering his horse for a price not eligible to be claimed. If an owner does not want to enter his horse to be claimed his horsemust meet the "optional conditions" set down by the racing secretary in order to be eligible to compete. These conditions appear in the pat performances preceding each race. All horses who race in optional claimers, but are not entered to be claimed, must have raced at some time for a specified claiming price to obtain a classification, and they must again race for a claiming price if the owner wishes to reclassify his horse in a lower category. Also, winners of optional claiming races when watered NOT eligible to be claimed, can not be eligible for the same class of race UNLESS entered eligible to be claimed.
