Page 79 - NMHBA Summer 2017

tracks to apply for all-Thoroughbred meets for 2017-18.
Mr. Vincent also presented to the com- mission a petition, which basically asked the commission not to cut racing opportunities for Quarter Horses next year.
One petition signer specifically spoke against a reduction in Quarter Horse races.
“I am not happy with the request from the two racetracks,” the signer stated. “The major reason the New Mexico state legislature allowed gaming was to support the horse-raising indus- try in the state. The cutting of Quarter Horse racing in the state is not some- thing that I would ever support and should not even be considered.
“I am sure many more legislators feel the same way and would be looking at keeping this from happening,” the sign- er added. “The racehorse industry needs to be supported at all levels to provide
the important economic benefits to the state and its residents. I strongly object to the consideration of this proposal against Quarter Horse racing in the state of New Mexico.”
Ms. Van Bebber reminded the com- mission that the AQHA sponsors the six “integrity teams” for enforcement during many big racing events in New Mexico, including the All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs.
Also at the meeting:
• The commission approved the following board of stewards for the Ruidoso Downs meet, which opens May 26: Violet Smith, Jill Cathey, and Ruben Rivera.
• The commission approved the following board of stewards for the Albuquerque Downs meet, which opens June 24: Ron Walker, Martin Hamilton, and Linda Salinas.
• The commission approved Dr. Frank
Anderson to work as the official state veterinarian for the first week of the Albuquerque Downs meet. Mr. Trejo said that he will announce who will complete the season at a later date.
• The commission approved an amending of the SunRay Park stakes schedule to cancel the New Mexico Breeders’ Stakes (RG3) for state-bred 3-year-old Quarter Horses, which was scheduled to be run on May 12.
• The commission approved the application of Matt Crawford to serve as racing secretary during the Zia Park meet, which runs September 9-December 12. The commission also approved the amending of the closing dates for some of the track’s stakes, as well as the track’s stall application.
• The commission approved the jockey and exercise rider insurance policy for Ruidoso Downs. The premium for the policy decreased 25 percent from 2016.
Report from June 2017 NM Racing Commission Meeting
The New Mexico Racing Commission held its monthly meeting at its headquar- ters in Albuquerque on Thursday, June 15.
New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Associa- tion executive director Anna Fay Davis gave the commission the race-a-day report for the first 28 days of the SunRay Park meet, which opened April 21. During this period, the track carded 74 New Mexico-bred races, 42 for Thoroughbreds and 32 for Quarter Horses. By comparison, SunRay Park carded 64 state-bred races -- 34 for Thoroughbreds and 30 for Quarter Horses during the first 28 days of its 2016 meet.
An average of 2.64 New Mexico-bred races per day have been run during the first 28 days of the SunRay Park meet, an increase of 15 percent over the 2.29 state- bred races per day contested during the first 28 days of the track’s 2016 season.
“I don’t think we’ll get the average of New Mexico-bred races per day above 3 (at SunRay Park), but we are certainly bet- ter than where we were during the same period last year,” said Ms. Davis.
Also, during the first 19 days of the Sun- Ray Park season, a total of 308 New Mexi- co-breds have competed in open overnight races, of which 106 (34 percent) finished first, second, or third. Of this total, 50
were Thoroughbreds and 56 were Quarter Horses. Bonuses totaling $51,523.50 were paid to the owners of these horses.
Ms. Davis added that, during the first 28 days of its 2017 season, SunRay Park has carded 64 New Mexico-bred over- night races.
“There were 528 New Mexico-breds that were scheduled to participate in these races,” she reported. “This is an average of 8.25 New Mexico-breds per race.”
SunRay Park’s 36-day meet runs through June 19.
Ms. Davis also gave the commission the race-a-day report for the first eight days of the Ruidoso Downs meet, which opened May 26. During this period, the track carded 32 New Mexico-bred races, 14 for Thoroughbreds and 18 for Quarter Horses. By comparison, Ruidoso Downs carded 28
state-bred races -- 11 for Thoroughbreds and 17 for Quarter Horses -- during the first eight days of its 2016 meet.
An average of 4 New Mexico-bred races per day have been run during the first eight days of the Ruidoso Downs meet, an increase of 14 percent over the 3.5 state- bred races per day during the first eight days of the track’s 2016 season.
Ms. Davis added that, during the first eight days of its 2017 season, Ruidoso Downs has carded 20 New Mexico-bred overnight races.
“There were 165 New Mexico-breds that were scheduled to participate in these races,” she said. “This is an average of 8.25 New Mexico-breds per race.”
Ruidoso Downs’ 52-day meet runs through Labor Day, September 4.
In addition, Ms. Davis distributed the 2017 version of the NMHBA’s marketing brochure. The foldout brochure points out the history of horse racing in New Mexico and the NMHBA’s mission statement, and it includes a membership application.
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