Claiming activity in the mid-Atlantic region bounced back a bit after the holiday doldrums of last week, according to The Racing Biz’s new claimbox report.  Charles Town, Colonial, Delaware, Monmouth, Parx, and Penn National saw a total of 57 horses change hands via the claimbox, with a total value of more than $684,000 and an average of just over $12,000.

All three numbers were higher than the previous week.  While the number of horses claimed rose by just three, the gross and median values soared by more than 30 percent each; and the average increased by nearly a quarter.

After a slow holiday weekend, Monmouth saw claiming activity bounce back strongly.  Overall, 19 horses were claimed at Monmouth with a gross value of $249,000, and thus an average of more than $13,000.  Parx was the busiest of the region’s tracks, with 23 horses changing hands at an average price of just under $11,000.  None of the other tracks had more than five horses claimed during the week.

Two Parx-based trainers were the area’s most active this past week.  Keith LeBarron dropped $45,000 on two claims to lead all trainers in the value of horses claimed, while Patricia Farro’s four horses claimed led the pace.  Of course, both trainers also lost three during the week, tying them with Louis Linder for the regional lead.