VA-Bred Owners' Bonus Program Begins July 1

An owners' bonus program for Virginia-bred runners that win overnight races at tracks in the Mid-Atlantic region will begin July 1 and run through Dec. 31.

The program, offered by the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and Virginia Thoroughbred Association and approved by the Virginia Racing Commission June 21, will provide a bonus of 25% of the purse to any Virginia-bred racehorse that wins an overnight race in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.

There will be a cap of $10,000 on any single award, officials said.

VTA executive director Debbie Easter said owners whose horses are eligible for bonuses must contact the VTA and submit a W-9 form. Checks will be mailed at the end of each month; the VTA must be contacted by the 20th of each month for payment to be received; otherwise it will be processed for the following month.

"We hope this new program will help current owners of Virginia-breds while we rebuild our race program in Virginia," Virginia HBPA executive director Frank Petramalo said in a release. "Virginia breeders have always produced a quality product. This new regional owners' bonus program, added to our nationwide breeders' program, will help boost the appeal of Virginia-breds in the marketplace."

Since the closure of Colonial Downs, Virginia stakeholders have worked to identify new racing venues in the state and re-open off-track betting parlors. Virginia-bred stakes have been held at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course in neighboring Maryland; the first round for this year was held June 16 at Pimlico.