Santa Anita Park has announced a new program to reward the owners of horses who have supported the current race meeting with a Loyalty Bonus to horses who have raced from Dec. 28 through Feb. 29. From Mar. 6 through the end of the season June 21, all eligible horses will receive an additional 10% bonus in their first start during that period (paid on first through fifth place earnings). The bonus money will be fully funded by Santa Anita and The Stronach Group and is separate from the purse account.
Santa Anita also announced that beginning Mar. 6 and through the end of the meet, the track will pick up the costs for up to two veterinary examinations for each horse entered. All horses are eligible for the reimbursement, whether or not they have previously run at the track this season.
“It is very important that we reward those who have been loyal to us this winter,” said Aidan Butler, Activing Director, California Operations for The Stronach Group. “While the Santa Anita Sunshine Bonus announced last week was designed to boost horse inventory, this bonus is for our owners and trainers who have supported us this winter and we want them to know we appreciate that support.
“In addition, we know that while the additional veterinary protocols put in place are keeping the horses safer, they come at a cost to our owners. We want to thank everyone for working with us to modernize the sport by offsetting these costs this season. We are talking with our stakeholders, including veterinarians, owners and trainers, to determine the most efficient way to implement this.”
The Santa Anita Loyalty Bonus will begin Friday, Mar. 6, which kicks off the prestigious Santa Anita H. weekend. The program will be in effective through the remainder of the current Winter/Spring Meeting, which concludes Sunday, June 21. Runners in stakes races will not be eligible for the Santa Anita Loyalty Bonus.
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