Del Mar 'Ship & Win' Program Returns

Thursday, March 16, 2023 | 12:55 pm

Updated: March 16, 2023 at 12:56 pm

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club kicked off it's annual summer season Friday, July 15, 2016 to the delight of thousands of fans and visitors. The seaside track in Del Mar, CA races Wednesday through Sunday through and including Labor Day Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. Accelerant and jockey Santiago Gonzalez (second from left) won the first race of the meet and returned $17.80 to his backers. ©Benoit Photo

In its 13^th consecutive season, Del Mar's 'Ship & Win' program, which attracts out-of-state runners with bonuses and purse incentives, returns opening day July 21.

“This program has proven to be an absolute home run for Del Mar and all of California racing,” said David Jerkens, a Del Mar vice president and its racing secretary. “Our fields grow stronger each summer with 'Ship & Win' horses and then the lion's share of those runners stay on and race at other venues in the state.”

Drawing more than 2,400 equine competitors to Del Mar over the years, current additions include a $5,000 first-start bonus and a 50% purse supplement for all dirt runners. Also, turf horses earn a $4,000 starter bonus and a 40% purse supplement.

The purse supplements extend to any additional starts during the summer meet and hold true for first through fifth finishers in their races. Also, should an out-of-state horse be claimed out of its first outing, and subsequently run back at the session, the original owner will receive all earned supplements.