Record Daily Purses at Del Mar Climb to Over $800,000

Del Mar is projecting its most lucrative racing season ever in 2022 with purse levels for its 31-day summer meet above $25 million, resulting in an unprecedented daily average purse payout of more than $800,000. Additionally, 21 of its major stakes will be increased sharply and its overnight purses raised by a blended rate of 15%.  

Sixteen major Del Mar stakes will see jumps ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 in their values, while all five of its overnight stakes will rise from $80,000 to $100,000. Notably, two of its premier stakes—the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at six furlongs and the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1), a dirt route for fillies and mares—both will climb in value from $300,000 to $400,000.

The track's popular "Ship & Win" program—which annually draws hundreds of out-of-state runners to the shore oval—will give owners and trainers their richest offerings in its 12-year history with a $5,000 starter bonus and a 50% purse supplement to dirt runners, as well as a $4,000 bonus and a 40% supplement to grass starters.

Del Mar's maiden bonus plan, formerly the juvenile bonus, will be expanded to provide horses of any age in dirt maiden special weight, maiden special weight California-bred, and maiden claiming $62,500 claiming company and above a 25% purse bonus for qualifying stables. Del Mar has hiked its maiden special weight races this season from $70,000 to $80,000.

"We've been on a roll of late and based on the feedback we're receiving from local and out-of-state stables, I'm very optimistic our positive trend will continue," said Del Mar's executive vice president for racing Tom Robbins. "Last year we averaged a record $18.4 million a day in handle and our field size was 8.5 per race. Those are powerful numbers, not only in the West, but all across the country. We're going to try to increase them this year and I believe we've got a good chance to do so."

There's a potential best-case-scenario script where a horse shipping in to run in a maiden special weight dirt race could compete for a purse of not $80,000, but $140,000 when the "Ship & Win" and maiden bonus plan incentives are included. This is in addition to a $5,000 starter payment.

The increase in overnight purses means there will be noteworthy augmentations for all levels. Maiden $20,000 claiming races will race for $30,000, up from $25,000, and top-level allowance horses see their rewards elevated from $76,000 to $86,000. A $32,000 claiming race will now pay $51,000 instead of $45,000.

Track officials plan to release the full stakes schedule next week and it will show a marked rise in gross purses from $7.45 million to $8.275 million. Del Mar's premier offering, the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (G1), will be conducted at 1 1/4 miles Sept. 3.

"Del Mar is America's premier race meet," said Thoroughbred Owners of California chairman Gary Fenton. "Owners look forward to competing there and soaking in the incredible experience offered by our friends at DMTC and the county of San Diego. We are grateful for the hard work that goes into planning our magical summers at Del Mar."

Del Mar, the place "where the turf meets the surf," opens its summer season with a three-day weekend beginning July 22. Racing continues through Sept. 11.