Lynn Ashby is often the first trainer to work with a young thoroughbred horse, months before its racing career begins.

The 74-year-old operates Marlyn Meadow in Middletown, a 500-acre farm with two training tracks where many trainers send newly purchased yearlings as part of the Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Program.

Weanlings or yearlings that start a residency at a DCTP-certified farm before Dec. 31 of their yearling year and stay for at least 90 consecutive days are eligible for purse bonuses when they race at Delaware Park. Certifying farms also receive payouts for top-three finishes.

The program was designed to encourage thoroughbred farms to operate in Delaware, which now has more than 80 DCTP-certified farms spread over 4,200 acres. More than $20 million in DCTP bonuses have been paid to horse owners and certifiers since 2003.

Marlyn Meadow is among the largest DCTP farms, as Ashby has 12 employees and works with up to 80 young horses during the winter months, before they go to other trainers to prepare for racing in the spring.