Santa Anita's "Ship & Win" Program Returns

Santa Anita's popular "Ship & Win" program designed to attract horses from out of state will be back in effect for the track's Autumn Meeting starting on Friday, Sept. 26. The five-week stand, which closes on Sunday, Oct. 26, features increased overnight purses from a year ago in addition to a comprehensive stakes schedule that includes seven "Win and You're In" events for this year's Breeders' Cup at Del Mar. For this year's Autumn Meet, horses from out of state who made just one start at the Del Mar Summer Meet will remain eligible for the Ship & Win purse bonus provided they did not make an additional start elsewhere. In dirt races, eligible Ship & Win horses who finish first through fifth will receive a 50 percent purse bonus. In turf races, eligible horses who finish in the top five will receive a 40 percent purse bonus. These bonuses are applicable for one start only and do not include stakes races. New Ship & Win horses making their initial California starts at the Santa Anita Autumn Meet will also receive a guaranteed $4,000 in addition to the purse bonuses. Since its inception, the "Ship & Win" program has helped to bolster the equine inventory on a year-round basis at both Santa Anita and Del Mar. Among the Ship & Win program's most recent success stories is Public Assembly, a 4-year-old filly who began her career in the east with trainer Chad Brown and owner Peter Brant. After earning a maiden win in four starts for those connections, Public Assembly was entered in last year's Keeneland November sale where she sold for $225,000 to Abbondanza Racing and Medallion Racing. Subsequently transferred to Santa Anita-based trainer Phil D'Amato, Public Assembly was a prompt allowance winner on turf at Santa Anita in March. In addition to the $40,200 winner's share of the purse, Public Assembly also collected a $4,000 bonus for being her first California start as well as 40 percent purse bonus. Public Assembly has since won the GIII Royal Heroine at Santa Anita in April and finished second in the GII Yellow Ribbon Handicap last month at Del Mar. "The Ship & Win program has continued to attract significant numbers of horses to the Southern California circuit," said Jason Egan, Santa Anita Director of Racing and Racing Secretary. "With the best weather and great facility at which to race and train, we feel we've got the best turf racing in the nation. The Ship & Win program provides tremendous incentives for those considering stabling here in California year-round." For more information on Santa Anita's 16-day Autumn Meet, please visit santaanita.com/ship.