Coming In July & August At Colonial Downs and Delaware Park
MTHA Release
The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) and The Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) are introducing a $600,000 Owner & Developer Bonus Program to support Maryland-bred horses racing at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park during Maryland’s live racing break from July 4 through August 17, 2025.
This program rewards the connections of Maryland-bred horses with bonus payments based on a points-based system tied to race conditions at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park.
PROGRAM DETAILS
BONUS POOL: $600,000.
ELIGIBILITY: Maryland-bred horses finishing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in non-restricted overnight races (excluding stakes, certified, or state-bred restricted races) at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park.
PAYOUT CALCULATION: The $600,000 bonus pool will be divided by the total number of points earned across all eligible races. Each horse’s bonus will be calculated based on its total points and will be equally distributed between the Owner(s) and Developer(s). The Developer is defined as the owner at the horse’s first career start. Payments will be issued by the end of September 2025.
POINTS SYSTEM
Bonuses will be awarded based on a four-tiered system that assigns points based on Maryland purse equivalents:
• Starter Handicaps will receive points equivalent to two claiming levels higher (e.g., a $5,000 Starter Handicap earns CLM $12,500 points).
• No bonuses will be awarded for stakes races, certified races, or state-bred restricted races.
This initiative complements the existing Owner & Developer Bonus Program, which provides 30% purse bonuses for Maryland-breds finishing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in non-restricted overnight races at Laurel Park, Pimlico, and Timonium:
• 15% to the Owner
• 15% to the Developer
In 2024, this program distributed over $5 million in bonuses, reinforcing MTHA’s commitment to Maryland’s breeding industry.
MTHA President Katharine M. Voss emphasized the importance of this program in maintaining the competitiveness of Maryland-bred horses during the summer racing break:
“We recognize the challenges horsemen will face while live racing is on hold in Maryland this summer. This program ensures that Maryland-bred runners remain competitive and financially supported during this period. By incentivizing participation at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park, we are reinforcing our commitment to Maryland’s racing industry and its long-term stability.”
TMJC President Bill Knauf emphasized the importance of maintaining competitive opportunities for Maryland-bred horses during the summer break:
“This program underscores our commitment to Maryland’s horsemen and breeders by providing meaningful financial support during the summer racing break. By rewarding Maryland-bred runners at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park, we’re ensuring that these horses remain competitive and continue to thrive. This collaboration is another step in strengthening Maryland’s racing industry for the future.”
The Owner & Developer Bonus Program is designed to sustain strong participation and financial support for Maryland-bred horses during Maryland’s temporary racing hiatus. By incentivizing competition at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park, the program ensures continued opportunities for Maryland horsemen while reinforcing the long-term stability of the state’s racing industry.
A joint initiative of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) and the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC), the Maryland Thoroughbred Purse Account has invested over $56 million in Maryland-bred incentives since 2014. These funds support Owner & Developer Bonuses, as well as restricted stakes and overnight purses, strengthening the foundation of Maryland’s Thoroughbred racing industry.
