There was a claimer that used to run in socal named Abergwaun Lad. He was a fast win machine that was extremely popular in the claim box.

His record was 33 starts, 16 wins, 4 seconds and 5 thirds, with his last four starts all being awful OTB performances.

Those two are mine too! :)

Heard she recently retired.....:p

Afleet Buck. He ran in Kentucky, Illinois and Iowa for a while. Now running out west at Emerald Downs in bottom level races.

Many of my favorite claimers over the years have been horses who were stakes winners when they were younger but have fallen down the scale as they aged. Like Sand Canyon (1967 by Berseem) and Cregan's Cap (1975, by Royal Cap). But some were claimers from an early age, like Canal Street (64, by My Host) and Spooky Mulder before he left the Midwest. Then there was Wingover (1963, by Linmold), who sprinkled stakes wins from 2 to 6, but ran 9 seasons; in the old Racing Form he had an X with a circle around it in front of his name - you other oldsters knows what that meant. (Somehow I remember the names of the old timers better than those of more recent horses.)

When it comes to claimers, there was nobody like Maxwell G.(1961, by Author). He raced for 13 seasons, from 3 to 15, and won at least one race every season; his overall record was 234/47-52-37 $181,420. Was claimed on many occasions and as quickly claimed back by his connections. Loved Sportsmans and Turf Paradise.

I'm not an "oldster". What does that mean?

It was a mud mark. The Form didn't break down races by listing those that were run on fast tracks, off tracks, turf, etc. So to help us figure who ought to move up in mud (any off track), they prefaced the name with one of three mud marks. A big asterisk (*) indicated a good mud runner; an X indicated a better mud runner; and an X with a circle around it meant the animal skated over mud like Peggy Fleming, leaving his opponents slogging behind him, sort of like every Valid Appeal foal ever born. The original Wingover, 1963 model, won something like 80% of his races on off tracks, and was on the board in the others. And yes, they did get off tracks in SoCal, where he did a lot of his running.

Sawmill Run & Win Man, Two horses I grew up watching run at Penn Nat & Philly Park.

I knew it sounded familiar, but couldn't remember. Thanks for helping a young pup!! :)

Creme De La Fete was one of my favorite claimers....

Spooky Mulder without question. Every time i get an alert of an entry i still get excited. :tro: