DE Increases '14 Certified Bonuses

Didn't realize DE has no breeding program. Any $ back to horsemen is good. It's really a nice old fashioned kind of track that may be the biggest racino success story, for without the casino, it would be long gone.

Delaware Certified Bonuses Increased for 2014
By Tom LaMarra
Bloodhorse

Horses registered with the Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Program will be eligible for more money next year, officials announced Nov. 25.

The program rewards horsemen that board Thoroughbreds at Delaware farms or training centers for at least 90 days prior to March 31 of a horse's 2-year-old year and then race them at Delaware Park. The concept is designed to increase the horse population at participating farms in a state with no Thoroughbred breeding program.

The owner and certifier–the participating farm–each will receive 25% of the purse share for horses that finish first, second, or third in overnight races or stakes. The cap on DCTP earnings in stakes is $7,500.

The awards were increased to 20% for 2013. Up to $1 million is available via contributions from the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association ($500,000), Delaware Park ($250,000), and the state of Delaware ($250,000).

The Delaware THA, founding sponsor of the DCTP, which was launched in 2002, said certification applications must be submitted no later than Dec. 31 of a horse's yearling year.

"It is a significant financial win for horsemen, our 82 participating Delaware farms, and the preservation of farmland," Delaware THA executive director Bessie Gruwell said in a release.

The Delaware THA believes the program contributes about $9 million to the state's economy. The participating farms account for about 4,200 acres.