Santa Anita offers bonuses to attract horses

Santa Anita, whose winter meeting opens Dec. 26, announced it will institute an incentive program to bring horses to California and keep them here.

Called Ship & Stay, the program mirrors Del Mar’s popular Ship and Win program, which pays a bonus for horses who come from out of state for races other than stakes.

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Santa Anita’s program, funded by the track and corporate owner The Stronach Group, offers bonuses to owners and trainers for the initial start of a shipped-in horse at Santa Anita, as well as the next two starts.

“Field size is a major concern for us, and by undertaking this new program, we’re hoping to be able to shore up our inventory at all levels,” Rick Hammerle, Santa Anita’s vice president of racing, said in a press release.