Owner maiden bonuses to be increased starting this winter

Bonuses paid to the owners of California-breds that win maiden races at Del Mar and Santa Anita will be increased this winter after recent declines.

Starting with the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting that begins on Dec. 26, the owners of statebreds that win maiden races against open company or against California-breds will receive $12,500, an increase from the current level of $10,000.

The bonus was $17,500 at the 2023-2024 Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, and was reduced to $15,000 for the 2024 track’s spring meeting. The bonus was reduced again to $10,000 for the 2024-2025 Santa Anita winter-spring meeting.

In 2026, the bonus will be worth $15,000 at the Del Mar summer meeting, an increase from the current level of $12,500, according to a statement released by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association on Thursday.

Currently, a bonus of $10,000 is paid to maiden race winners at Los Alamitos, a level that will continue in 2026. The bonus will be worth $10,000 at the Santa Anita autumn meeting that begins on Sept. 26, and $12,500 at the forthcoming Del Mar autumn meeting.

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Bonuses are paid to winners of races at 4 1/2 furlongs or longer. The incentive has been in place since 2009 and paid bonuses as high as $20,000 at its inception. The bonus was reduced to $17,500 in 2012. The bonus is paid to owners approximately 45 days after a win.

Financing for the bonus system is derived from handle. Since the spring, revenue from handle generated at Northern California simulcast locations, or from account wagering in that part of the state, has been redirected to purses at Southern California tracks.

There has been no racing in Northern California since December although proponents told the California Horse Racing Board on Thursday that there are plans to request racing dates at fair venues in 2026.

Earlier this year, proposals to race at fair venues were rejected by the racing board at three consecutive hearings. At the time, some racing board officials cited a need to protect prize money levels at Del Mar, Los Alamitos, and Santa Anita.

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