Los Alamitos Racing Association, in partnership with the California-based insurance brokerage firm Bolton & Company, will offer a $1 million bonus tied to the new $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby (gr. II) to be run on July 5 during the Orange County track's debut Thoroughbred racing season.
The $1 million Bolton Challenge bonus would be paid to any horse that can win the Los Alamitos Derby (formerly the Swaps Stakes), the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) Aug. 24 at Del Mar, and the $5 million Breeder's Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
Bolton & Company is one of the largest insurance brokerage firms based in Los Angeles and one of the 100 largest brokerage firms in the United States. The company, which was founded in 1931, has recently moved into the world of horse racing mainly through the hiring of John Unick, for many years a leading force in the horse industry insurance field.
"Bolton & Company is excited to begin a new chapter of partnership with the horse racing industry," said Steve Brockmeyer, the company's president and CEO. "We feel our equine presence will be in great hands with the hiring of John Unick as executive vice president of our Equine and Special Risk division. As fans we all hope we can witness that special horse it would take to win these three great California races."
The Los Alamitos Derby will be run at 1 1/8 miles on the opening Saturday of the upcoming Los Alamitos Thoroughbred meeting. Nominations for the race close May 1 when a $500 payment is due.
"We certainly appreciate Bolton & Company jumping in with the $1 million bonus. It will certainly add excitement to our new Los Alamitos Derby," said Brad McKinzie, Los Alamitos Racing Association vice president. "Winning these three races is no easy task but the way we look at it is that the horse who wins the Los Alamitos Derby in July will be one of the favorites in the Pacific Classic in August and any horse that wins those two races is going to be tough at the Breeder's Cup in November. You never know."
