BY BROCK SHERIDAN
With 12 starts this year under his belt, Patrick Mogauro Jr. and James Mogauro’s Final Verdict exemplifies the everyday Thoroughbred the Claiming Crown looks to honor Saturday at Churchill Downs. Having finished in the top three in 11 of those races this year, including winning two of his last three, Florida-bred Final Verdict has been labeled as the 2-1 morning line favorite for the $150,000 Tom Metzen Memorial Canterbury, a $25,000 starter allowance for 3-year-olds and older going five-and-a-half furlongs on the turf.
The Claiming Crown was launched in 1999 by the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to celebrate the blue-collar horses that largely race outside the spotlight. The series has eight races worth $1.1 million for various divisions Saturday, all under starter-allowance conditions.
Currently based in New York with trainer Edward Barker, Final Verdict comes into the Canterbury in top form after winning a first condition allowance race going six furlongs on the Aqueduct turf last out on Sept. 27.
Since arriving at the Barker barn in June, Final Verdict has crossed the finish line in three of five races. However, in his first start from the Barker barn, he was disqualified and placed second in a $35,000 optional claiming starter allowance at Aqueduct in June. He won under those conditions going five-and-a-half furlongs on the turf at Saratoga two starts later before finishing third in a first condition allowance race won by Spirits Mischief sprinting on the Saratoga Race Course turf on Sept. 1.
Final Verdict is by Finale out of Premier Roma, by Burning Roma and was bred in Florida by Harold L. Queen. He has won five of 15 career starts with two seconds and six thirds while earning $178,640.
Tyler Gaffalione will be in the irons for Final Verdict and they have post five.
Hilarious Affair will also attempt his second consecutive victory having won a $35,000 optional claiming starter allowance going six furlongs on the turf at Aqueduct in last start on Oct. 25.
While Final Verdict will likely be near the pace Saturday, Hilarious Affair won his last race by three-and-a-half lengths after rallying from seventh.
Michael Maker, the all-time leading trainer of Claiming Crown winners with 21 victories in the event, will saddle Hilarious Affair for Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher. Hilarious Affair has won four with six seconds and six thirds in 29 starts and earnings of $211,669.
The 5-year-old gelded son of Practical Joke will be ridden by Jose Ortiz from post 10 and they are listed at 3-1 in the program.
Rounding out the field are Balsa with jockey Lindey Wade, Spoke and rider Santo Sanjur, Atras will have Julien Leparoux in the saddle, Cristian Torres rides Cotton, All Jokes Aside has Luis Saez taking the call, Mid Day Image with jockey Samy Camacho Jr., Voodoo Zip has Francisco Arrieta named to ride, Brian Hernandez Jr. accepts the mount on Dr Oseran, Declan Cannon rides Spycraft and Spankster will be ridden by Martin Pedroza Jr. Philo Beddoe, Gins and Tins, Dinos Dixie and Rocket Hoss are on the also-eligible list.
