ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2024) — Beginning with the start of the Hollywood (Spring) Meet at Santa Anita Park, the bonus for registered California-breds or California-sired horses winning maiden special weight races in restricted and open company will be reduced from $17,500 to $15,000. The popular program has been in place since 2009 and the bonus is offered in races run at 4 ½ furlongs or longer.
“The reduction is due to the growing success of the California-bred program, which is producing winners at an exceptionally high rate,” said Doug Burge, President of the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (CTBA).
Owners of California-breds that win an open maiden special weight race also receive the benefit of the current Cal-bred bonus available in open company in addition to the maiden bonus.
The maiden bonus program is funded jointly by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) and the CTBA to increase the value of investing in California-bred and California-sired horses.
Beginning on April 19, the maiden special weight bonus at participating California tracks will be:
Santa Anita $15,000
Del Mar $15,000
Los Alamitos $10,000
Golden Gate $10,000
Northern California Fairs $10,000