A new bonus program for California-bred maiden winners is off to a good start, according to figures for the first half of 2010 from the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
According to a release from the CTBA, 102 Cal-bred maiden winners earned $1,680,000 in bonus money through June 30. Through the same period a year ago, there had been 63 Cal-bred maiden winners.
The maiden bonus program for registered California-bred or -sired horses, funded by the CTBA and Thoroughbred Owners of California, was designed to increase "demand for California-bred or -sired horses by significantly increasing the purse money and opportunities available for California-bred or -sired horses. The backbone of this new program is the creation of a lucrative maiden bonus program, providing a quick return for those successfully racing California-bred or -sired horses."
The program provides a $20,000 bonus made available for owners of registered California-bred or -sired maidens in maiden special races in Southern California and a $10,000 bonus for owners of registered California-bred or -sired maidens in maiden special races in Northern California. If a California-bred wins an open maiden special race, the owner would also receive the current owner bonus available in open company, as well as the new amount.