Background As the result of visionary legislation enacted in 1994 by the Delaware General Assembly, thoroughbred racing is again flourishing in Delaware. Today, the essential elements of successful annual racing meet at Delaware Park are firmly in place: A strong purse structure and excellent racing conditions. The Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association believes that now is the time to further enhance racing conditions for horsemen at Delaware Park and contribute to the state's economic well-being by offering a Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Program. A Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Program (DCTP) will:    Proactively support the economic development intent of the Horse Racing Redevelopment Act of 1994. Provide a purse enhancement incentive for horsemen at Delaware Park who certify or own Delaware Certified Thoroughbred horses. Increase the number of horses in each race. Contribute to the long-term economic prosperity of Delaware agriculture and encourage preservation of Delaware farm land.   What is a Delaware Certified Thoroughbred? A thoroughbred horse that spends a minimum of 90 days on a Delaware farm or training facility prior to March 31st of its two-year-old year and races at Delaware Park. How is a Delaware Thoroughbred Certified?  The certifier or the certifier's authorized agent must complete a Delaware Certified Thoroughbred application form, available from the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (DTHA), and submit the application to the DTHA with the certification fee. Upon completion of the three month Delaware residency by the thoroughbred, the horse will be issued a Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Certificate and be eligible for purse enhancements at Delaware Park. What is the Purse Enhancement under the Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Program?   The certifier of the thoroughbred will receive an additional fifteen percent (15%) of the purse share if the Delaware Certified Thoroughbred finished first, second or third in any race, including Stake races, during the Delaware Park meet. The owner of a Delaware Certified Thoroughbred will receive fifteen percent (15%) of the purse share if the Delaware Certified Thoroughbred finishes first, second, or third in any race, including Stake races, during the Delaware Park meet. Delaware Certified Thoroughbred horses will be identified in Delaware Park's racing programs and on the saddletowels by so that owners and trainers will be aware of the enhanced potential earnings of the Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Program. Delaware Certified horses going to weanling, yearling or two-year-old-in-training sales also will be designated in most sales catalogs.   Funding and Administering the Program The Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has approved contributing up to $500,000 per year for the Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Program (DCTP) from the horsemen's purse fund beginning in 2003.   $500,000 has been allocated from the state of Delaware to match our $500,000 from the purse account.   The fund will be administered by the DTHA and bonuses will be paid at the end of each month for certifiers.
	Administrator of the DCTP program can be reached at (302) 994-2398

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