Del Mar the Ship and Win Bonus and Maiden Dirt Bonus Return

For the 85th season of racing at Del Mar, the Ship & Win Bonus and Maiden Dirt Bonus will be back this summer. The Ship & Win program, which is starting its 14th season at Del Mar, offers a guaranteed $4,000 check to every qualified runner in their first start at the beachside oval, encouraging horses from out of state to compete there. For that first start and all subsequent runs over the eight-week meet, purse winnings will also be boosted by 40%. For instance, the "S & W" addition increases the $76,000 first-condition allowance purse at the summer meeting to approximately $106,000.

The Ship and Win program is still very much supported by local trainers and owners. Of the 184 "S & W" horses that were brought on board in the summer of 2023, 100 were owned and trained by people with ties to California. Locals made up 125 out of 222 "S & W" runners in 2022.

In its third season at the track, the Maiden Dirt boost offers horses of all ages a 20% purse boost for maiden special weight races held on the dirt. The additional funds are awarded to horses placing first through fifth in "open" straight maiden races, and they are comparable to the payouts received by horses placing second through fifth in dirt races bred in California. Because of this bonus, the payouts for these maiden special weight events are $90,000.

Only trainers with fewer than 85 horses on the Southern California circuit are eligible for the incentive.

“These two programs have helped provide a backbone to our daily racing cards,” stated Del Mar vice president and racing secretary David Jerkens. “The inclusion of out-of-state horses adds to the depth of our racing product and the fact that the vast majority of them stay on and compete at other tracks in the state has a positive ripple effect for all of California racing. The key metrics for a flagship meet with the status of Del Mar are quality racing, big field sizes, integrity and safety,” noted Bill Nader, the CEO of Thoroughbred Owners of California. “Del Mar scores high marks across the board and, as a result, the attractive racing content drives handle, which is our sole source of purse generation. Programs like “Ship & Win” and Maiden Dirt Bonus contribute to this success.”

The Del Mar summer season runs from July 20 to September 8.