Del Mar’s 87th summer racing season, starting July 17, will feature the return of the popular “Ship & Win” program and the introduction of 2-year-old dirt maiden special weight races with purses starting at $100,000. The “Ship & Win” initiative, now in its 16th year, incentivizes out-of-state horses to compete at Del Mar by offering bonuses: $5,000 for first local dirt starts plus a 50% purse bonus for top-five finishes, and $4,000 plus a 40% purse bonus for turf runners. These bonuses apply to initial and subsequent races, helping attract over 3,000 horses and supporting California-based stables.

This summer, juvenile dirt maiden races will carry record purses of up to $150,000 when including the “Ship & Win” bonuses, enhancing the economic appeal for owners and trainers. The program has strengthened Del Mar’s reputation as a premier racing destination and benefits the broader California racing circuit by encouraging horses to remain and compete locally. The 32-day season runs through Labor Day with racing Thursday through Sunday, featuring afternoon post times. Further details on program rules are available on Del Mar’s website.