What is a maiden race in horse racing?

A maiden race is restricted to horses that have never won a race.

Such contests are divided into various “classes” that indicate how much promise the owner and trainer believe the horse possesses.

If the horse seems like it could develop into a stakes winner, it will likely be initially entered into a maiden special weight race, meaning it cannot be “claimed,” or purchased, by a rival owner.

When the horse appears talented, but not quite a stakes-caliber runner, it could be entered it in a high-level maiden claiming race, which does allow rival trainers and owners to claim the horse at a set price. In a $100,000 maiden claiming race, for example, each runner in the field is essentially for sale for $100,000.

If a horse just isn’t very fast or doesn’t do well in training, it might be entered in a low-level maiden claiming race where it can be claimed for as little as $5,000 (or even less at smaller tracks). Check who is running these days with the best online sites for horse betting. Boost your chances of winning with Amwager promo code offer.