Under 20's Claiming Challenge Returns to Big A

The New York Racing Association will once again conduct the Under 20's Claiming Challenge for its upcoming winter and spring meets at Aqueduct Racetrack. Introduced in 2018, the challenge is open to local conditioners with 20 or fewer trainees nationwide. Trainers will earn points based on their horses' performances in all winners' claiming races at Aqueduct from the start of the winter meet Dec. 9 through the end of the spring meet Apr. 24. The top eight trainers in the contest will split a price pool of $80,000, with the winning trainer receiving $16,000. Trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci has won five of the past Under 20's challenges, while Eddie Barker has won twice, including tying with Kantarmaci for the 2019-20 Aqueduct winter challenge. Click here for more details on the contest structure.