Page 62 - New Mexico Winter 2021

MEETING TIME
REPORT FROM SEPTEMBER 2021
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, September 9.
New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association executive director Mary Barber gave the commission the NMHBA’s race-a-day
report for the first 43 days of the Ruidoso Downs meet, which opened May 28. During the first 43 days of the meet, the track carded 147 New Mexico-bred races, 65 for Thoroughbreds and 82 for Quarter Horses. By comparison, 175 state-bred races were contested during the first 50 days of Ruidoso Downs’ 2020 season. Of those 175 state-bred races, 85 were for Thoroughbreds and 90 were for Quarter Horses.
An average of 3.42 New Mexico-bred races per day were run during the first 43 days of the Ruidoso Downs meet, a decrease of 2-percent from the 3.50 state-bred races per day run during the first 50 days of the track’s 2020 season.
Also, during the first 34 days of the 2021 Ruidoso Downs meet, a total of 341 New Mexico-breds competed in open overnight races, of which 111 (63 Thoroughbreds and 48 Quarter Horses) finished first, second or third. Bonuses totaling $69,569.60 were paid to the owners of these horses.
Ms. Barber also gave the commission the NMHBA’s race-a-day report for the first 10 days of the Downs at Albuquerque meet, which opened August 14. During the first 10 days of the meet, the track carded 39 New Mexico-bred races, 20 for Thoroughbreds and 19 for Quarter Horses. By comparison, 59 state-bred races were contested during the first 19 days of the Downs at Albuquerque’s
2020 season. Of those 59 state-bred races, 35 were for Thoroughbreds and 24 were for Quarter Horses.
An average of 3.90 New Mexico-bred races per day were run during the first 10 days of the Downs at Albuquerque meet, an increase of 19-percent over the 3.28 state-bred races per day run during the first 19 days of the track’s 2020 season.
During his report to the commission, NMRC executive director Ismael “Izzy” Trejo reported that on- and off-track wagering had increased substantially during the 2021 Ruidoso Downs meet, which ended on Labor Day, September 6. He also reported on the pre-meet inspection at
Zia Park.
“They still have a lot of work to do,”
Mr. Trejo said. “It is a work in progress. They did repair the barn roofs that blew off during the recent monsoon rainstorms.”
Mr. Trejo also reported that there was a decline in positive medication tests.
“There are some trainers who are getting multiple out-of-competition positive tests, but we are doing better than some other states,” he said.
NMRC chief financial officer Amber Trujillo discussed the agency’s 2023 budget. She said that she is requesting $3,491,000, which is a 4-percent increase over what the NMRC received this year. Ms. Trujillo added that the commission still has some unfilled positions, one for an auditor and another for a third investigator.
Also at the meeting:
• Chris McErlean and Bill Belcher, representing Zia Park in Hobbs, asked for and received approval for the track’s updated list of racing officials. They also asked for and receive approvals of the track’s post times and wagering format. Mr. McErlean and Mr. Belcher also reported that Zia Park plans to offer 10 races per day, as required
by state law, but that the track will offer 11 races per day until Daylight Savings Time ends. On October 31, New Mexico Cup Day, Zia Park will run 12 state-bred stakes races, eight for Thoroughbreds and four
for Quarter Horses.Mr. McErlean and Mr. Belcher also asked for and received approval to move the James Isaac Hobbs Stakes (G3) for Quarter Horses to November 7, and the Lovington Stakes (G2) for Quarter Horses to November 21.
• Sunland Park asked for and received approval for Ahmad Mughni to serve as acting general manager, effective October 1.
• Ruidoso Downs general manager Ethan Linder asked for and received retroactive approval to amend post times on August
22 due to more All American Derby (G1) trials than expected and needing to start
at 12 p.m. Mr. Linder also asked for and received approval to change the purse of the All American Gold Cup (G1) for Quarter Horses from $100,000 to $200,000. “We didn’t want to have any purse money left over,” he said.
• Downs at Albuquerque president of racing Don Cook asked for and received approval to run up to 10 races per day when entries allow. He also received approval for the track’s 10-race program wagering format.
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60 New Mexico Horse Breeder
NEW MEXICO HORSE BREEDERS SUMMER 2021
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