The Racing Biz has been tracking claiming activity in the mid-Atlantic region and reporting on it weekly for the last three months. Last week we began reporting on the Midlantic Claiming 7 — the trainers who have been busiest over the prior 30 days, ending in this case on September 17.
After a slow week at the claiming box, there was little change in the top ranks of our Midlantic Claiming 7, but two new trainers moved onto the list at the bottom.
Scott Lake remained the region’s leading trainer — by the number and dollar value of horses claimed in the region — with a total of 11 horses claimed for a total of $190,000, an average of over $17,200 per claimed horse. 
The next four trainers — Ramon Moya, Patricia Farro, Philip Aristone, and David Wells — remain the same, though with minor shuffling in terms of order.
Two new names appear on the bottom of the list, however. Keith LeBarron and Kathleen DeMasi, each of whom made three claims in the last seven days, appear on the list for the first time. LeBarron’s three claims were worth a combined total of $90,000, catapulting him to second place by value of horses claimed over the last 30 days.
During the month, Farro’s seven claims did not keep pace with those claimed from her; she lost eight via the claimbox, making her the only one of the Midlantic Claiming 7 to have a net loss of horses via the claimbox. Ramon Moya had the most positive balance, claiming eight while losing just one for a plus-seven margin.
The report tracks claims made tracks in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (excluding Presque Isle), and at Charles Town.
For the week…
Following by far the busiest claiming week of the summer, claiming activity subsided this week. It was the third slowest week in the last three months.
Overall, Charles Town, Delaware, Laurel Monmouth, Parx Racing and Penn National saw just 92 horses claimed — exactly one-half the 92 claimed a week ago. The gross value of those horses was over $562,000, with an average of nearly $12,300.
Parx was once again the region’s busiest track. Nineteen horses changed hands at Parx this past week — more than double the total at any other track — with a total value of more than $300,000. The average price of those horses was nearly $16,500, the region’s highest and about 34 percent higher than the region’s average.
Weekly Dollar Value of Horses Changing Hands
Not trying to be cute or facetious, is there a tax or fee on these transactions?
Maryland taxes Zambonies (sp. rhymes with ponies but I don’t know if that a valid rule- Is there an English teacher in the house?) and some other rather dubious items, maybe other States are just as bad.
Kurt – like everything, it varies from state to state. I know that in Maryland, sales tax applies, and I think that’s the case in at least some other states in the region. Thanks for checking in.