Santa Anita Announces Loyalty Bonus Program
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Photo: Fasig-Tipton Photos
A horse prepares to exit the paddock at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park will reward horse owners who have supported the current race meeting with a loyalty bonus, the Southern California track announced Feb. 27.
The bonus is in place for horses who have raced from Dec. 28, 2019 through Feb. 29, 2020. From March 6 through the end of the season, which is June 21, all eligible runners will receive an additional 10% bonus in their first start during that period (paid on first- through fifth-place earnings). The bonus money will be fully funded by Santa Anita and The Stronach Group and is separate from the purse account. Runners in stakes races will not be eligible.
Santa Anita also announced that beginning March 6 and through the end of the meet, the track will pick up the costs for up to two veterinary examinations for each horse entered. All horses are eligible for the reimbursement.
The announcement comes after a joint release Feb. 23 by Santa Anita Park and the Thoroughbred Owners of California heralding a new program to attract out-of-state horses—the Santa Anita Sunshine Bonus. This bonus pays an additional 50% to the owners of horses (relating to their respective purse earnings) who finish first through fifth and have not raced in California during the previous 12 months. In addition to the 50% bonus, all eligible horses will also earn a guaranteed $3,000 bonus for their first starts at the track. The Sunshine Bonus begins in April and will be in effect through the remainder of the winter/spring meeting. First-time starters and stakes runners are not eligible.
BLOODHORSE STAFF: Santa Anita Sunshine Bonus Announced as Incentive
Increased veterinary examinations have been a part of safety and integrity protocols announced March 8 by The Stronach Group after a spate of breakdowns plagued the Southern California track during the 2018-19 winter meeting.
"It is very important that we reward those who have been loyal to us this winter," said Aidan Butler, the acting director of California operations for The Stronach Group. "While the Santa Anita Sunshine Bonus announced last week was designed to boost horse inventory, this bonus is for our owners and trainers who have supported us this winter, and we want them to know we appreciate that support.
"In addition, we know that while the additional veterinary protocols put in place are keeping the horses safer, they come at a cost to our owners. We want to thank everyone for working with us to modernize the sport by offsetting these costs this season. We are talking with our stakeholders, including veterinarians, owners, and trainers, to determine the most efficient way to implement this."