With the Breeders’ Cup within the rearview mirror, pleasure is constructing on the Churchill Downs backstretch as it’s the claimers’ flip within the highlight. Horses from throughout the nation are starting to filter into Louisville, Ky., forward of the Nov. 16 Claiming Crown. With greater than $1.1 million in assured purses out there via eight races with starter allowance circumstances, it is an opportunity for a number of the “small guys” who make up the spine of the trade to get recognition for all their exhausting work.
Juan Muñoz Cano is only one of 83 trainers represented within the entry field for the claimers’ equal of the Breeders’ Cup, however he’s the epitome of what the Claiming Crown represents.
A longtime assistant for Angel Montano, Cano took over the secure upon his mentor’s passing in late 2020. Since then he has grown his Churchill Downs-based secure to twenty-eight horses and is approaching a milestone one hundredth profession victory.
Cano does not have the big-name horses, solely competing in a handful of stakes races with two placings, however he has made his residing within the claiming sport. His success this 12 months introduced him 4 runners in Saturday’s Claiming Crown, which ties him with Joe Sharp for second-most behind Mike Maker’s six when not together with also-eligibles.
“I obtained fortunate this 12 months and obtained 4 horses within the Claiming Crown. I am fairly proud of that,” Cano mentioned. “I have been working exhausting.”
Working exhausting is an understatement. The Guatemala native was his personal train rider Nov. 12, taking out every of his horses individually. As a substitute of enjoyable through the monitor renovation break in coaching, he used the time to personally stroll one other of his horses to a trailer throughout the barn space to be shipped to race at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
In spite of everything that work, which is the norm for Cano and plenty of others within the trade, he returned with a smile on his face whereas speaking about his pleasure for the Claiming Crown.
“I awoke this morning and I have been desirous about that day,” Cano mentioned. “I hopefully could have an excellent day and hopefully all my horses run good.”
One among his greatest possibilities comes from International Sensation within the seven-furlong Fast Transit. Cano co-owns the 5-year-old Into Mischief  gelding with Mark Milliner, claiming the horse for $16,000 following a fifth-place end March 22 at Turfway Park.
Juan Cano rides International Sensation throughout morning coaching at Churchill Downs
“I had been watching him for a very long time,” Cano mentioned about what drew him to assert the gelding. “I wished to assert the horse final 12 months at Colonial Downs and I did not get him. I would been taking a look at him at Turfway; he was operating lengthy distance the entire time. We shortened him up and he is been a special horse.”
Cano’s capability to recollect the horses he likes, in addition to watching a variety of replays, is without doubt one of the strengths that has led him to a number of profitable claims.
“Typically I watch a horse and two or three years (later) I nonetheless do not forget that horse. I nonetheless know that horse,” Cano mentioned.
Remembering International Sensation and putting the declare field on the proper time led to a renaissance within the gelding’s careers. In six begins for the reason that declare, International Sensation has gained 4 and positioned twice whereas incomes $163,957. He is an ideal 3-for-3 in his profession over the seven-furlong distance and 3-1-0 from 4 begins at Churchill Downs.
The gelding is stuffed with run coming into the Claiming Crown, giving Cano a exercise throughout his Tuesday gallop.
“He was pulling fairly good. He made me sweat,” Cano mentioned.
Cano and Milliner additionally co-own Greatest Performer , who races within the Tiara overlaying 1 1/16 miles on turf.
The pair claimed the 4-year-old Oscar Efficiency  filly for $20,000 from a 5 1/2-length win over a sloppy Churchill Downs monitor Sept. 27. That begin was her first in 10 months off the turf, so Cano introduced her again on a quick dust monitor in starter allowance firm at Keeneland Oct. 26. She ran flat, ending seventh whereas overwhelmed 13 1/2 lengths.
“She’s largely a grass filly,” Cano mentioned. “The jockey (Jaime Torres, who rides again Saturday) mentioned when the dust hit her face, she did not actually prefer it. I really feel snug together with her this time as a result of she’s again on the grass.”
Juan Cano rides Greatest Performer whereas coaching at Churchill Downs
Additionally racing on grass within the 5 1/2-furlong Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial is Voodoo Zip , who Cano owns himself.
Cano claimed the 7-year-old Metropolis Zip gelding for $17,500 March 7 out of a 3 1/2-length victory at Turfway Park. As soon as Turfway’s meet ended, Cano gave Voodoo Zip three begins on dust with no success. Swapping to turf in his final two begins, the gelding enters Saturday off a strong third at Horseshoe Indianapolis Sept. 11. Cano mentioned this race has been the goal ever since.
The final of Cano’s 4 starters is Robert King’s Protomagic within the one-mile Glass Slipper on dust. Transferred from the barn of Barbara McBride to Cano final winter, Protomagic made fairly the impression for her new coach whereas rattling off a four-race win streak, everywhere in the artificial at Turfway Park.
Hitting the board solely as soon as in 5 begins since Turfway closed, Cano mentioned he’s experimenting by operating the mare one mile earlier than Turfway reopens. In three begins on the distance earlier than becoming a member of Cano, she is 0-1-0.
“The gap might be a bit of far for her, however you by no means know,” Cano mentioned. “She’s been coaching fairly good. She’s prepared for Turfway, however the homeowners mentioned let’s take an opportunity within the Claiming Crown and see what occurs.”
Coach Juan Munoz Cano at his barn at Churchill Downs
Cano mentioned he total feels snug with the place his horses are in to make some noise beneath the dual spires Saturday. He hopes that the day within the highlight would possibly assist get his identify out to potential new shoppers.
“It is exhausting competitors,” Cano mentioned. “The homeowners might have a look at me (and see) I have been working exhausting.”
A piece of the grandstand will probably be designated for the horsemen to chill out and benefit from the day, however Cano mentioned he’ll gladly depart that to his homeowners. As a substitute, he’d moderately keep the place he is most snug: working with the horses.
“I prefer to be with my horse, I prefer to work with my horse,” Cano mentioned. “I do not like ready for the horse over there (on the frontside). I prefer to see how they give the impression of being within the stall earlier than they go over for the race. I prefer to go together with my horse, stroll with my horse. I prefer to work with them.”
