01 / OWNER BONUS↗
15%Rewarding today’s owner.
A bonus for the owner when a registered Maryland-bred finishes in the top three in an eligible race.
1ST, 2ND OR 3RD
← ALL MTHA PROGRAMS
MARYLAND-BRED BONUSESBorn in Maryland.
Born in Maryland.
Rewarded for life.
Exclusively for registered Maryland-bred Thoroughbreds. Explore the owner and developer bonuses available when eligible horses race in Maryland and through the designated out-of-state program.
EXPLORE THE BONUSESMARYLAND-BRED OWNER & DEVELOPER BONUS PROGRAMAdministered by MTHA
HOMEGROWN ADVANTAGE
A Maryland-bred.
Two ways to earn.
Registered Maryland-breds earn bonuses for first-, second- and third-place finishes in eligible open overnight races at Laurel Park, Pimlico and Timonium.
Registration is required.
These owner and developer bonuses are available only for registered Maryland-bred horses. Being bred in Maryland alone does not establish eligibility. This registration requirement applies to both the Maryland overnight race bonuses and the out-of-state bonus program.
Learn how to register your Maryland-bred with the Maryland Horse Breeders Association ↗
02 / DEVELOPER BONUS↗
15%Recognizing the first investment.
A bonus for the horse’s developer, whose designation follows the horse throughout its racing career.
A CAREER-LONG CONNECTION
A separate incentive. These owner and developer bonuses complement the Breeder and Stallion Bonus programs of the Maryland-Bred Race Fund, administered by the Maryland Horse Breeders’ Association.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR BONUS
Who is the
developer?
The developer is the owner of a horse at the time of its first career start—wherever that race takes place.
It begins at the first start.
The owner at that first career start becomes the horse’s developer.
The first race can be anywhere.
The horse does not have to make its debut in Maryland.
The designation stays with the horse.
Later ownership changes do not change the established developer.
BEYOND MARYLAND
The rewards travel
with you.
During Maryland’s annual summer racing hiatus, a special points-based program supports registered Maryland-breds competing at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park. Only registered Maryland-bred horses are eligible for these bonuses.
2026 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT$700,000
Owner & developer bonus pool
The 2026 pool increased to $700,000. The program supports Maryland-bred connections while Maryland racing is temporarily dark.
COLONIAL DOWNSDELAWARE PARK
PROGRAM UPDATES
Maryland-bred bonus news.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Questions about your bonus?
Contact the MTHA office for help with the program.