Del Mar Average Daily Purses to Increase to $700,000

Del Mar will implement a major purse increase for its summer race meet that begins July 17, in addition to boosted incentives meant to lure out-of-state horses.

Average daily overnight purses will be more than $700,000, an increase of more than 30% as compared to 2019, during which the track last operated an uninterrupted racing schedule. Last year's summer meet was greatly impacted by COVID-19.

The "Ship and Win" program for horses entering from outside California is doubling both its participation award for owners (from $2,000 to $4,000) and its purse bonus from 20% to 40% for all eligible races. The purse bonus will be upped to 50% for dirt races in the "Ship and Win" program. 

"We've got some real momentum in California as we prepare for the 2021 season and, based on the inquiries we're receiving, owners and trainers are taking notice," said Del Mar executive vice president for racing Tom Robbins. "Our partnership with the Thoroughbred Owners of California, TVG, and The Stronach Group has us on track for one of the most lucrative seasons in Del Mar history, which will be a boost for California racing and help set the stage for us to host the Breeders' Cup here again in November."

The 2021 purse enhancements are due in part to a partnership with the Thoroughbred Owners of California, FanDuel Group's TVG, The Stronach Group's 1/ST Racing, and various ADW platforms. The multi-party agreement, announced earlier this year, is expected to inject up to $15 million into California Thoroughbred purses and programs over the next two years.

The Churchill Downs Inc.-owned ADW TwinSpires.com did not participate in that multi-party agreement.

Del Mar also cited its total handle for its 2020 racing seasons—well above initial projections despite fans not being allowed onsite—as adding funding to the purse increases for the upcoming summer meet.

Among the increases for overnights, maiden special weight races will jump from $55,000 during the 2020 summer meet to $70,000 this summer, maiden-claiming $20,000 races rise from $19,000 last year to $25,000 and open $40,000 claiming races purses will go from $37,000 to $47,000.

As an example of how these increases affect the "Ship and Win" program, a maiden special weight race on the main track this summer will carry a purse of $105,000 ($70,000 in addition to a 50% bonus) plus a $4,000 starter bonus for out-of-state horses that qualify for the program.

"Anticipation for Del Mar's race meetings is always high among horsemen but it will be even more so this year with the increased purse structure announced today," said Gary Fenton, chairman of the TOC. "We look forward to continuing our work with the state's key racing stakeholders to further strengthen California's year-round racing program."

Track officials also noted that Del Mar's stakes schedule will be released in the coming weeks and that purses will be raised for several of its summer stakes races.

Del Mar will offer a 31-day summer racing season after racing 27 days last year. The seaside track will open the weekend of July 17-18, and then switch to a Thursday-Sunday schedule for all but the final week of the meet. The summer season will close, as usual, with a special holiday Monday of racing on Labor Day, Sept. 6.