Del Mar is planning across-the-board increases to its overnight purse schedule from its top allowance offerings all the way down to the maiden claiming ranks for its 2025 summer racing season that kicks off July 18.
This year will be the 86th summer meet at America's only seaside racetrack, and it will be conducted for 31 days over eight weeks going forward to Sept. 7.
All told, Del Mar will present approximately 300 races with overnight purses, which are projected to be $15.7 million. That represents a blended increase of 8% over 2024's purses.
A redirect in purse funds from the northern part of the state to the south has contributed to purse gains in Southern California. Currently, no race meetings are scheduled in Northern California this year. However, officials from Ferndale have expressed an interest in racing a seven-day summer meet if deemed feasible and approved by the California Horse Racing Board, Daily Racing Form reported last week.
Santa Anita Park has also reported a rise in its handle amid a consolidation of racing this winter in the south.
Additionally, Del Mar will offer 38 stakes races valued at $7,825,000. Once again, the highlight of that schedule will be the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), a 1 1/4-mile test that will be run as part of a sparkling five graded-stakes card Aug. 30.
Notable in the overnight purse increases is that the vast majority of the track's owners and trainers will be able to run in maiden special weight dirt races—both open and California-bred—for purses of $100,000. The track again will be offering its Maiden Dirt Bonus that provides a 25% increase to non-winner races at the $62,500 level and above, meaning those conditioners with fewer than 100 horses on the Southern California circuit will be competing in those straight maiden affairs for more than six-figure prizes for their horses.
"We are thrilled to announce our purse increase," said Del Mar vice president and racing secretary David Jerkens. "Santa Anita is off to a strong start with the new single-circuit structure now in place for California racing, and we are looking forward to continuing this positive momentum for our summer meet."
Noting Santa Anita's success in integrating northern horses into its racing program, Del Mar plans to offer similar racing opportunities to those horses at its summer stand.
Jerkens also noted that the track will be back to providing its richest "Ship & Win" program again, with out-of-state qualifying horses who come to race locally offered a $5,000 bonus just for starting in a dirt race, while turf horses are given a $4,000 up-front bonus. Further, those same horses will earn an additional 50% supplement on top of their purse earnings for running first through fifth on the dirt, while eligible turf horses will receive a 40% bonus. This will be the 15th year that the "Ship & Win" program has been in effect, and it has attracted nearly 3,000 additional horses to race at Del Mar.
"The Del Mar summer racing season is prime time for racing fans, horse owners and everyone in between across the country," said Thoroughbred Owners of California president Bill Nader. "The increase in overnight purses builds on the momentum we established early this year and is another clear indication that California racing is moving in the right direction. We look forward to another great summer with perfect weather and the very best of American racing."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
