Turf bonus to reach $10M

Officials with Jacobs Investments and the Maryland Jockey Club announced Friday at Pimlico Race Course that a sweep of the four races that comprise the newly formed Grand Slam of Grass series will be worth $10 million within five years.

Creation of the Grand Slam of Grass was announced in March. This year, if a 3-year-old sweeps the races, the total value would be more than $5 million, counting winner's shares of the purses and a $3 million bonus. There is no set timetable for when that total will be increased to $10 million, said Jeffrey Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of Jacobs Investments and Colonial Downs.

The series consists of the June 25 Colonial Turf Cup and July 16 Virginia Derby, both at Colonial; the Aug. 13 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park; and the Oct. 29 Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont Park. The aggregate purse value is $3.65 million. All are restricted to 3-year-olds except the BC Turf.

Jacobs Investments is a privately owned stock-holding company based in Palm Beach, Fla. The Maryland Jockey Club is a managing partner in Colonial Downs, located in New Kent, Va.