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ZIA PARK MEET OPENS SEPTEMBER 26
ia Park in Hobbs, New Mexico, will open its 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3 year olds, the Zia Park said. “With our racing and gaming operations 36-day Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Derby will offer a purse of $250,000-guaranteed, now coming back online to full strength, we
meet on Sunday, September 26.
Once again, two major events highlight
Zia Park’s meet -- New Mexico Cup Day on Sunday, October 31, and Land of Enchantment Day on Tuesday, November 23. Showcasing
the best state-bred Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, New Mexico Cup Day will feature 12 stakes, eight for Thoroughbreds and four for Quarter Horses. All of the Thoroughbred stakes on New Mexico Cup Day will offer purses of $100,000-guaranteed. The New Mexico Cup Day Quarter Horse races will be topped by the 400-yard $145,000-est. New Mexico Cup Derby (RG2) for state-bred 3 year olds, and the 350-yard $145,000-est. New Mexico Cup Futurity (RG2) for state-bred juveniles.
Zia Park’s Land of Enchantment Day program will feature seven Thoroughbred stakes, led by the Zia Park Derby and Zia Park Oaks. A
which is projected to be the richest of the Zia Park meet. The Zia Park Oaks is restricted to sophomore fillies and will be run at 1 1/16 miles for a purse of $200,000-guaranteed.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced Zia Park to cut its purses substantially in 2020. The pandemic and related protocols also forced the track to suspend its live racing operations twice.
Jaime Zamora will serve her first season as
Zia Park’s racing secretary. A New Mexico native, Zamora has held a multitude of racing and racing office positions during more than 40 years in the industry. She has worked as a licensed groom, trainer, owner, jockey agent, program coordinator, chart caller, entry clerk and clerk of course. From 2013 through last year, she served as assistant racing secretary at Ruidoso Downs and Zia Park. “I’m excited to lead the Zia Park racing office for the upcoming season,” Zamora
will have a much improved overnight purse schedule (nearly $200,000 per day) and a stakes program that will be more robust than last year’s scaled-back version.”
“Jamie has done a great job over the past several years behind the scenes in keeping the racing office running smoothly,” said Zia Park vice president and general manager William Belcher. “We know she will make the most of this opportunity.”
Zia Park’s 2021 season is scheduled to run through Tuesday, December 14. Located at 3901 W. Millen Drive in Hobbs, the track and its’adjoining casino annually draw customers from throughout Eastern New Mexico and West Texas. For more information on the meet, visit the track’s website at www.ziaparkcasino. com, and click on the “Racing” link at the top of the homepage.
By Michael Cusortelli
RACING NEWS
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