Del Mar Revives Ship & Win, Raises 2-Year-Old Maiden Purses to $150K

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club confirmed the return of its Ship & Win program for a 16th year and announced that baseline purses for dirt 2-year-old maiden special weight races will be $100,000 and can rise to $150,000 when a Ship & Win runner triggers the 50% bonus. The track said the changes accompany its 87th summer season, which opens Friday, July 17, 2026.

The Ship & Win mechanics are concrete: a $5,000 payment will be made for any qualified dirt runner in its first local outing, and a 50% purse bonus will be applied to the first-through-fifth finishers in that initial start and in all subsequent outings at the meet. Turf entrants receive a $4,000 payment for the first start and a 40% bonus attached to purses for the first-through-fifth finishers, with that 40% also applying to additional outings during the session.

David Jerkens, Del Mar senior vice president and racing secretary, put the financial case plainly: "'Ship and Win' has been an extremely successful program for Del Mar and California racing overall. Our owners and trainers continue to take advantage of this powerful economic boost. And this year we're proud to offer $100,000 straight maiden purses for dirt 2-year-olds that can rise to $150,000 with the 'Ship and Win' bonus."

Del Mar said the Ship & Win program has attracted more than 3,000 horses over its life, helping supply full fields across the meet; the track noted that more than half the horses brought to Del Mar from out of state have been shipped by California-based stables, and the majority of imported horses stay on to race in California. That participation is cited as part of why the program has been maintained into its 16th consecutive season.

The summer meet schedule is set: 32 days of racing through Labor Day Monday, September 7, 2026, with racing run Thursday through Sunday after the opening three-day weekend. Del Mar announced first post will be 2 p.m. on normal days, shifting to a 1:30 p.m. start for closing Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association provided additional purse detail that sits alongside Del Mar’s juvenile announcement, noting that "the track has enhanced its straight maiden purses this year from $70,000 to a California record of $80,000." CTBA also listed specific maiden-claiming figures as follows: "maiden-claiming $62,500 is now worth $46,000", "maiden-claiming $80,000 offers a $50,000 purse", and "maiden-claiming $150,000 goes for $57,000." CTBA further noted the Ship & Win program "has risen this year to a $5,000 starter fee and a 50% purse supplement for any of its dirt races."

Del Mar also points back to earlier program evolution, citing a 2022 publicity change that enriched maiden purse earnings by 25% for qualified runners of any age in certain dirt maidens. Trainers and owners preparing for the July 17 opener should review Del Mar’s Ship & Win rules on the track’s horsemen page for eligibility details and payment timing as the meet approaches.