Page 54 - New Mexico Summer 2022

MEETING TIME
REPORT FROM APRIL 2022
NM RACING COMMISSION MEETING
The New Mexico Racing Commission held its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 25.
New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association executive director Mary Barber gave the commission the NMHBA’s race-a-day report for the 55-day Sunland Park meet, which ended April 3. During the Sunland Park meet, the track carded 242 New Mexico-bred races, 150 for Thoroughbreds and 92 for Quarter Horses. By comparison, 198 state-bred races were contested during the track’s 2020 season, which ran 47 days. Of those 198 state-bred races, 146 were for Thoroughbreds and 52 were for Quarter Horses.
An average of 4.4 New Mexico-bred races per day were run during the 2021-22 Sunland Park meet, an increase of 4.3 percent over the 4.21 state-bred races per day run during the track’s 2020 season.
Ms. Barber also noted that the 242 New Mexico-bred races run during the 2021-22 Sunland meet offered a total of $2,398,600, an increase of 85 percent over the $1,296,500 offered for the 198 state-bred races contested in 2020.
Also, during the 55-day Sunland Park meet, a total of 533 New Mexico-breds competed in open overnight races, of which 170 (48 Thoroughbreds and 122 Quarter Horses) finished first, second or third. Bonuses totaling $175,866 were paid to the owners of these horses.
In addition, during the 2021-22 Sunland Park meet, 1,057 horses competed in 137 New Mexico-bred Thoroughbred overnight races, an average of 7.72 entries per race. A total of 633 horses competed in 69 New Mexico-bred Quarter Horse overnight races, an average of 9.18 entries per race.
During his report to the commission, NMRC chairman Sam Bregman of Albuquerque expressed his disappointment that the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association failed to sign a contract with SunRay Park to allow the track to export its live racing signal.
“It negatively affects not only SunRay Park, but it negatively affects the racing industry
in our state as a whole,” Mr. Bregman said. “Because the NMHA refused to sign the agreement for the export signal, the general public was not able to watch or bet on the races at SunRay Park this past weekend, costing the horsemen money.”
Commissioner Billy G. Smith of Albuquerque stated that he’s traveled all over the world to watch horse racing, and he feels that one of the best racing products can be found in New Mexico.
“It’s our duty as a commission to protect that product,” he added. “We are lucky that we have a state legislature that likes and supports horse racing.”
During his report to the commission, NMRC executive director Ismael “Izzy” Trejo said the pre-meet inspection at SunRay Park went well, and that the opening weekend races ran despite high winds. He also verified that SunRay Park not being able to export
its simulcast signal adversely affected handle during opening weekend.
Mr. Trejo also reported that he attended the annual meeting of the Association of Racing Commissioners International in Kentucky.
“We heard from and met with (Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority) representatives at this conference, and the tone seems to
have changed from the end of last year to this conference. HISA seems to be more willing to work with state regulators now, but there still is a lack of information regarding specific costs to state commissions.”
Also at the meeting:
• The commission approved the following board of stewards to serve at the 18-day SunRay Park meet --Jack Houghton Jr., Violet “Pinky” Smith, Larry Fontenot Jr., and Reese “Rug” Howard (alternate). The commission also approved SunRay Park’s request to add a race to its stakes schedule, the Toni Samora Stakes for Thoroughbred fillies and mares.
• Representing Zia Park, Chris McErlean asked for and received approval for the 2022 jockey and exercise rider insurance in the amount of $78,595.40.
• Representing Ruidoso Downs, Rick
Baugh said that there were more than 800 firefighters on track property fighting nearby fires. “Everything is back to normal now,” he reported.
• Mr Baugh also asked for and received approval for the following racing officials to serve during Ruidoso Downs’ 47-day meet, which begins May 27 -- Brenda Buckner (horsemen’s bookkeeper) and Dr. Mark Ashby (association veterinarian).
• Downs at Albuquerque president of racing Don Cook asked for and received approval for the track’s 2022 condition book, stakes schedule, purse structure and condition book officials. He also reported that Jim Collins will serve as The Downs’ racing secretary for its 2022 meet, which opens July 30.
REPORT FROM MAY 2022
NM RACING COMMISSION MEETING
The New Mexico Racing Commission held its monthly meeting at SunRay Park Racetrack and Casino in Farmington on Thursday, May 9.
New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association executive director Mary Barber gave the commission the NMHBA’s race-a-day report for the first nine days of the 18-day SunRay Park meet, which opened April 22. During this period, the track carded 33 New Mexico-bred races, 18 for Thoroughbreds and 15 for Quarter Horses.
By comparison, 35 state-bred races were contested during the first nine days of the track’s 2021 season. Of those 35 state-bred races, 19 were for Thoroughbreds and 16 were for Quarter Horses.
An average of 3.67 New Mexico-bred races per day were run during the first nine days of the SunRay Park meet, a decrease from the 3.89 state-bred races per day run during the first nine days of the track’s ’21 season.
Ms. Barber also noted that the 33 New
Mexico-bred races run during the first nine days of the SunRay meet offered a total of $303,000 in purses, up from $204,000 during the same period last year.
Also, during the first six days of the SunRay Park meet, a total of 152 New Mexico-breds competed in open overnight races, of which 51 (31 Thoroughbreds and 20 Quarter Horses) finished first, second or third. Bonuses totaling $95,438 were paid to
52 New Mexico Horse Breeder