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MEETING TIME
NM RACING COMMISSION MEETING
REPORT FROM JULY 2022
The New Mexico Racing Commission held its monthly meeting at the Hall of
Fame Room at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack on Thursday, July 21.
NMRC chairman Sam Bregman reported that July was a busy month for the commission in terms of litigation. Mr. Bregman said that there was a recent order from the District Court ordering the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association to turn over money that was not theirs to pay purses.
“This recent decision emphasizes the importance of the commission unrecognizing the NMHA as the state’s official horsemen’s group the past few months, as the NMHA was illegally withholding funds to pay the horsemen who win and should be getting paid,” he added.
Mr. Bregman added that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has been in
effect since July 1, and that it is a continuing work in progress.
During his report to the commission, NMRC executive director Ismael “Izzy” Trejo said that the commission has received “a pile of papers from HISA for horses that have not yet been registered.
“Take care of your business so that you are able to race your horses,” he added.
Mr. Trejo also said that out-of-competition testing is being done. He said that the commission’s goal is to perform 1,000 such tests this calendar year.
“We feel that the out-of-competition testing program continues to have a positive effect on post-race tests,” he said. “Hair tests are also part of the positive effects of the program.”
Mr. Trejo also reported that the commission’s pre-meet inspection at The Downs at Albuquerque went well.
“There are a few items that need attention, but I expect everything to be ready by opening day (July 30),” he added.
ALSO AT THE MEETING:
• Ruidoso Downs Racetrack general manager Ethan Linder introduced the track’s management team. He also commented on the rumors regarding horses being “wheeled” off of the track after races. He confirmed that he visited all of the horses that were hauled off the track and ensured that they were still alive.
• Ruidoso Downs president Rick Baugh requested and received approval to amend the track’s list of 2022 racing officials. Rick Thedford was replaced by Tyler Hart as the track’s clerk of scales, and Rex Stokes was acting as paddock judge and identifier in the absence of Scooter Rippy.
ALSO AT THE MEETING:
• ThecommissionapprovedSaraLopez and Connie Estes to serve as substitute stewards during The Downs at Albuquerque meet.
• The commission approved Ruidoso Downs Racetrack’s request to amend the track’s stakes schedule to increase the
purse of the Grade 1 All American Gold
Cup by $50,000 to $150,000-guaranteed,
and to increase the purse of the Bill Reed Memorial Stakes by $30,000 to $50,000. The commission also approved the track’s request to add four overnight stakes to its schedule.
• The commission approved Zia Park’s request to move opening day of its 2022 season from October 1 to October 4, so as to avoid
an overlap with The Downs at Albuquerque, which will end its meet on October 1. Chris McErlean, vice president of racing for Penn National Gaming Inc., said that Zia Park
will add racing on the following Wednesdays: October 5, November 2, and December 14, to meet its requirement to conduct a 48-day meet.
• The commission approved Zia Park’s 2022 purse schedule, racing officials, post time and wagering formats, and first condition book.
• The commission approved the state’s 2022-23 race dates. Sunland Park will conduct a 55-day meet from December 21, 2022, through April 2, 2023, followed by a 21-day meet at SunRay Park in Farmington from April 3-May 21. Ruidoso Downs will
REPORT FROM AUGUST 2022
The New Mexico Racing Commission held itsAugustmeetingintheJockeyClubatThe Downs at Albuquerque on Thursday, August 25.
Commission chair Sam Bregman
of Albuquerque spoke briefly about the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (www. hisaus.org). He expressed his hopes that all the stakeholders in the New Mexico racing community can work together to make its implementation in the state successful.
Mr. Bregman added that the commission will continue to hold its monthly meetings virtually as well as in person, so that as many people who want to attend them can do so.
During his report to the commission, NMRC executive director Ismael “Izzy”
Trejo reported on his travels on behalf of the commission. He traveled to Del Mar to attend the summer meeting of the Association of Racing Commissioners International. The implementation of HISA was the main topic of the ARCI meeting, as state regulators
met with HISA officials to discuss their experiences with HISA.
“They received complaints regarding the lack of communication and the constant changing of the whip rule, which has caused confusion among racing officials in the various state,” said Mr. Trejo. “We also requested an organization chart so that we will know who to contact if more questions arise.”
Mr. Trejo also reported that he received a letter fromBenMosier,thepointpersonfortheHISA anti-doping program. He added that he will meet with Mr. Mosier within 45 days, and that the HISA assessment fees are expected to provide to the racing industry by October 1, 2022.
Mr. Trejo also attended the Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga Springs, New York. HISA was discussed, as was the issue
of “fixed-odds” wagering as a way to attract younger fans to racing.
Commissioner Billy Smith of Albuquerque asked Mr. Trejo about mobile wagering and if it
is accessible to New Mexico residents. Mr. Trejo referred the question to Sunland Park director of racing Dustin Dix, who responded that the state’s residents can place mobile wagers on tracks around the world, but not on tracks within the state. It was expressed at this meeting that hopefully the issue of mobile wagering can be brought to the state legislature during its upcoming session, as New Mexico’s racing industry and the state are losing revenue due to this rule.
During her report to the commission, New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association executive director Mary Barber stated that during the first 38 days of its meet, Ruidoso Downs ran 138 New Mexico-bred Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races. Also, during the first 10 days of its meet, The Downs at Albuquerque ran 36 New Mexico-bred races.
80 New Mexico Horse Breeder