Page 115 - New Mexico Horse Breeders 2019 Stallion Register

“Also, when I visited Albuquerque Downs this summer, I was impressed with the size of the crowds they draw for live racing,” he added.
During his presentation to the commission, New Mexico Horsemen’s Association (www. newmexicohorsemen.com) executive director Pat Bingham complimented outgoing commis- sion paralegal Tina Arce for her service to the racing industry.
“She was always helpful to our office, espe- cially with regard to the exchange of informa- tion,” he said.
Mr. Bingham also complimented Jeff True for a successful meet at Ruidoso Downs.
“They were up in handle, both on-track and off-track, and that’s to be commended,” he said.
In addition, Mr. Bingham said that Albuquerque Downs was having a good meet for horsemen, despite some issues with inclement weather.
“They’ve had some difficult circum- stances with lightning and thunder and cancellations,” he added. “But the purses have held up well.”
Commission Executive Director Ismael “Izzy” Trejo reported on his presentation to the
state Economic Development Committee on Sept. 5 in Cloudcroft, New Mexico.
“I discussed the state of horse racing in New Mexico, and I told the legislators present that we have a lot of good economic indicators in our industry,” Mr. Trejo said. “A majority of our racetracks are showing handle increases, and that, perhaps more importantly, our horse sales in the state were both successful. Sale prices were up significantly at both the New Mexico-Bred Sale and Ruidoso Select Quarter Horse Yearling Sale.
Mr. Trejo also thanked Tina Arce for her service to the commission.
“She worked here for more than five years, and we’re truly going to miss her,” he added. “She’s been wonderful to work with. She likes horse racing, so we’ll probably see at the track from time to time.”
ALSO AT THE MEETING:
• The commission approved Danielle Sena to serve as interim horsemen’s bookkeeper at Albuquerque Downs. Albuquerque Downs president of racing Don Cook also told
the commission that the track will offer a closing-weekend track record of $1.7 million in purses during its 2018 closing weekend, Sept. 22-23.
“We’re excited about giving this money away to our horsemen,” Mr. Cook added.
• Ruidoso Downs president and general manager Jeff True told the commission that he and the track’s new owners were pleased with the success of their 2018 season. “We have a great ownership group and a great staff, and they should get a
lot of the credit for what we were able
to accomplish,” he said. Mr. True also discussed the track’s decision to add an All American Oaks for 3-year-old Quarter Horse fillies. The first running of the All American Oaks will take place in 2020.
• The commission approved Sunland Park Racetrack’s post-time schedule for its 2018- 19 season, which opens Dec. 28. The track will have two different post-time schedules, one for Dece. 28-March 9, and another for March 10-May 5.
• The commission also approved Sunland Park’s wagering format, which will include a new Pick-5 with a 50-cent minimum wager and no carryover.
“We’ve tried a Pick-6 with different formats, and we haven’t had the suc- cess with it that we would’ve liked,’ said Sunland Park director of racing Dustin Dix. “We also are going to be adding win, place, and show parlay wagering as a precursor to sports betting. We’d like to get our customers used to that sports- wagering format.”
REPORT FROM OCTOBER 2018 NM RACING COMMISSION MEETING
The New Mexico Racing Commission held its monthly meeting in the board room at the commission offices in Albuquerque on Thursday, Oct. 18.
New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association executive director Mary Barber gave the com- mission the NMHBA’s race-a-day report for the 54-day Albuquerque Downs season, which ended on Sept. 23 and included a 17-day New Mexico State Fair meet. During the meet,
the track carded 195 New Mexico-bred races, 125 for Thoroughbreds and 70 for Quarter Horses. By comparison, 198 state-bred races were contested during the track’s 2017 season, which ran 57 days. Of those 198 state-bred races, 121 were for Thoroughbreds and 77 were for Quarter Horses.
An average of 3.61 New Mexico-bred races per day were run during the 2018 Albuquerque Downs meet, an increase of 4 percent over the 3.47 state-bred races per day run during the track’s ’17 season.
Also, during the 54-day Albuquerque Downs meet, which opened June 29, a
total of 512 New Mexico-breds competed
in open overnight races, of which 147 (47 Thoroughbreds and 100 Quarter Horses) finished first, second or third. Bonuses totaling $119,491.80 were paid to the owners of these horses.
Ms. Barber also gave the commission the NMHBA’s race-a-day report for the first 16 days of the Zia Park meet, which opened Sept. 22. During his period, the track carded 64 New Mexico-bred races, 43 for Thoroughbreds and 21 for Quarter Horses. By comparison, 58 state-bred races were contested during the first 16 days of the track’s 2017 season, of which
39 were for Thoroughbreds and 19 were for Quarter Horses.
An average of 4 New Mexico-bred races per day were run during the first 16 days of the Zia Park meet, an increase of 10 percent over the 3.63 state-bred races per day run during the first 16 days of the track’s 2017 season.
Also, during the first seven days of the Zia Park season, 50 New Mexico-breds competed in open overnight races, of which 13 finished
first, second or third. Bonuses totaling $21,605 were paid to the owners of these horses.
During his report to the commission, New Mexico Horsemen’s Association (www.newmexicohorsemen.com) Executive Drector Pat Bingham stated that the NMHA now supports the building of a sixth race- track in the state.
“We look forward to additional racing opportunities, and the income that will come with it,” he said.
New Mexico Racing Commission Executive Director Ismael “Izzy” Trejo told the commis- sion that he enjoyed attending the meetings with groups representing Clovis, Tucumcari, and Lordsburg vying to build the state’s sixth racino. He also thanked his staff for running the office while he was on the road, and he told the commis- sion that there would be some personnel changes, including a new prosecutor, at the NMRC.
Mr. Trejo also discussed the sports- wagering operation that opened in October at the Santa Ana Star Casino.
MEETING TIME
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