Colonial Downs and Delaware Park to host Maryland & Virginia Bred and Sired Program

The former highly popular MATCH Series is no longer, and now it’s Maryland and Virginia racing with the second edition of the Maryland and Virginia Bred and Sired Program.

Staged from 3 July to 23 August, and during the Laurel Park summer break, it provides additional incentives for Maryland and Virginia -breds running at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park.

In expending its schedule, it features stakes races from June 2026 through March 2027 restricted to horses that are Maryland-bred or sired and Virginia-bred or sired.

Building on the success of the inaugural 2025-26 program it continues ‘a successful cooperative effort that strengthens regional racing opportunities for horsemen in both states.

That initial collaboration included 16 stakes races totalling $1.8 million in purses, with the Virginia HBPA contributing $750,000 toward Virginia’s portion of the series.

In addition, Maryland-bred runners remain eligible for the state’s standard Owner and Developer bonuses when competing at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park.

Laurel Park opens the 2026-27 dual-stakes program on Saturday 20 June with two $100,000 turf events, the Jameela Stakes of 6f for Fillies and mares and the Ben’s Cat Stakes at 6f for 3yo+.

Colonial Downs will then stage six dual-eligible stakes races, each with a $125,000 purse with the Star De Naskra for 3yo’s over 7f on 4 July, alongside the Miss Disco also of 7f for 3yo Fillies.

On Saturday 15 August at Colonial Downs, The Find will be run over 1 1/16m for 3yo and older, with the All Brandy for Fillies and mares over 1 1/16m.

Also, at Colonial Downs on Saturday 29 August, the Jamestown for 2yo’s will be staged at 5½f on turf, and Dolley Madison for 2yo fillies also at 5½f on turf.

The dual state-bred stakes schedule continues the expansion of the Maryland Owner & Developer Bonus Program, which has been increased to $700,000 in 2026, up from $600,000 in 2025.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and The Maryland Jockey Club have also announced the return of the Maryland-Bred Owner & Developer Bonus Program for 2026.

Following a strong debut in 2025, the program will return with the same structure and rules, with one key enhancement, a $700,000 Bonus Pool and is a $100,000 increase from the 2025 program.

Designed for Maryland-bred horses racing at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park the 2026 program will run from 3 July through to 23 August, it aligns with the Laurel Park summer break.

The $700,000 bonus pool will be distributed using a points-based system tied to race conditions, purse equivalents plus a Bonus payments are split evenly 50% to Owners and 50% to Developer.

Level A is No price: CLM $50,000 and Upwards for a Maryland purse of $47,000 and Upwards with an allocated 10-5-2.5 point system

Level B is CLM of $30,000 – $45,000 for a Maryland Purse of $33,000 to $41,000 at 8-4-2 points

Level C is CLM of $16,000 – $25,000 for a Maryland Purse of $26,000 to $30,000 at 6-3-1.5 points

Lever D is CLM of $6,000 – $12,500 for a Maryland Purse of $15,000 to $24,000 at 4-2-1 points

“Our goal is to make sure Maryland-breds’ remain competitive and financially supported even when racing shifts out of state in the summer.” said Katharine M. Voss, President of the MTHA.

“The response to this program last year was extremely positive, and increasing the bonus pool to $700,000 reflects that commitment and the importance of this program to our horsemen.”