Del Mar boosts incentives for out-of-state shippers

Del Mar will increase appearance bonuses for out-of-state shippers who meet certain criteria for the track’s two race meetings this year.

The owner of a horse who made his previous start at other circuits or outside the United States and has not started in California in the preceding 12 months will be paid a $2,000 bonus for the horse’s first start at Del Mar. First-time starters are not eligible.

Last year, a bonus of $1,500 was paid to the owner of a horse who met that criteria. The track has left in place a 30 percent bonus on purse money earned by out-of-state shippers in a horse’s first start at Del Mar in all races other than stakes.

The program, known as “Ship and Win,” was launched in 2011 with $1,000 appearance fees and 20 percent bonuses for prize money earned in initial starts. The incentives are designed to lure stables from other circuits and encourage California-based owners to acquire race-ready horses.

In a statement released Wednesday, track officials said “just under 1,000 horses” have been sent to Del Mar since the program began.

“When these horses come our way, we find they almost all stay in the state,” racing secretary David Jerkens said. “We’re hoping to see another increase in new stock at our summer meeting.”

Del Mar’s 36-day summer meeting runs July 18 to Sept. 3. The 16-day fall meeting is Nov. 9 to Dec. 2.