Posted: June 19, 2019

By Tom LaMarra

When the MATCH Series returns to Delaware Park July 13, eight horses will have the opportunity to qualify for the lucrative owner and trainer bonuses tied to each series division.

Delaware Park, as part of Delaware Handicap Day, will offer four $100,000 MATCH stakes: the Hockessin (3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint–Dirt Division), Dashing Beauty (Filly and Mare Sprint–Dirt Division), Glasgow (3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint–Turf Division), and Just A Kiss (Filly and Mare Long–Turf Division). Nominations close June 29 for the stakes.

To be eligible for bonus money, a horse must start in at least three MATCH Series races. For each division, the following bonus money is available based on points earning by placings: First place ($20,000 to owner and $15,000 to trainer); second place ($15,000 to owner and $10,000 to trainer); and third place ($10,000 to owner and $5,000 to trainer). For the top horse by points across all divisions, the owner will receive $50,000 and the trainer $25,000 on top of divisional winnings.

After the second round of MATCH stakes at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course June 1, the following horses had two series starts:

Filly and Mare Sprint–Dirt Division: Ms Locust Point (17 points), Cairenn (8 points) and Last True Love (4 points).

3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint–Dirt Division: Laki (13 points) and Home Run Maker (4 points).

3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint–Turf Division: Completed Pass (14 points).

Filly and Mare Long–Turf Division: Enchanted Ghost (10 points) and Souper Striking (6 points).

Six horses have won one stakes in their division (10 points) but thus far have competed in only one round of MATCH competition: Dynatail and Secret Message (Filly and Mare Long–Turf Division); Dirty and Pure Sensation (3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint–Turf Division); Midtowncharlybrown (3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint–Dirt Division); and Bronx Beauty (Filly and Mare Sprint–Dirt Division).

After Delaware Park, the MATCH Series travels to Parx Racing on Labor Day, Sept. 2, and wraps up at Monmouth Park Sept. 28, the final Saturday of the track’s 2019 meet.

(Delaware Park photo by Tom LaMarra)