The New Mexico Racing Commission held its monthly meeting at its headquarters in Albuquerque on Thursday.

Thursday's meeting was the commission's first since November 18. The regularly scheduled January meeting was cancelled.

New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association executive director Anna Fay Davis gave the commission her race-a-day reports for Sunland Park through February 13. During the first 40 days of the meet, which runs through April 19, the track ran 211 New Mexico-bred races – 145 for Thoroughbreds and 66 for Quarter Horses. By comparison, Sunland Park also carded 211 state-bred races during the first 40 days of its 2009-10 meet, 144 for Thoroughbreds and 67 for Quarter Horses.

Also, during the first 32 days of Sunland Park's current meet, a total of 132 New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses ran in open overnight races, of which 34 (26 percent) finished first, second, or third. Of this total, 31 were Quarter Horses and three were Thoroughbreds. Bonuses totaling $52,331 were paid to the owners of these horses.

By comparison, a total of 183 state-breds competed in open races during the first 35 days of Sunland's 2009-10 season, of which 53 (29 percent) ran first, second, or third. Of this total, seven were Thoroughbreds and 46 were Quarter Horses.

Commissioner Ray Willis discussed the recent safety meeting conducted at Sunland Park.

“The meeting was well-attended,” he reported. “There was a large number of horsemen, trainers, jockeys, and track management personnel present, and we discussed safety procedures and track conditions.

“Everyone was happy about the way the meet was going,” Willis added. “I didn't hear one complaint about anything.”

Commissioner Larry Delgado also said that a walk-through and safety committee meeting would be scheduled for the near future at SunRay Park in Farmington. SunRay's 48-day meet runs from April 23-July 12. First post time will be at 1 p.m. (Mountain).

“These types of meetings work, and we need to get this done,” he added.

Also, the commission congratulated Sunland Park for receiving accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance., following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility. Sunland is one of 19 tracks to receive full accreditation. Other such tracks include Churchill Downs and Keeneland in Kentucky and Belmont Park, Aqueduct, and Saratoga Racecourse in New York.

“A lot of major tracks in the United States haven't been accredited by the NTRA, so we should be proud of what Sunland Park has accomplished,” said commission co-chair Eddie Fowler. “This is an example of what New Mexico racing can do when we all work together.”

Also, Jack McGrail was introduced as the new executive director of the New Mexico Horsemen's Association, replacing Pat Bingham. McGrail told the commission that the NMHA is looking for a new laboratory to send its split samples to, as the lab at Louisiana State University has experienced a large increase in volume, and turn-around times have been slow.

McGrail also said that his organization still has concerns about the track surface at Zia Park in Hobbs.

“We hope to begin dialogue with (Zia Park general manager) Rick Baugh soon so we can address these issues,” he added. “We've put together a horsemen's committee so we can go to management with specific issues and suggestions for solutions.

“We understand that management needs to know what we want. We can't just go to them and say, 'We don't like the track surface.'”
Finally, McGrail reported that the NMHA's awards banquet will be held at SunRay Park in May. He said that the exact date would be announced at a future date.

Representing Ruidoso Downs, general manager Jean Stoddard asked the commission to approve a change in the track's weekly racing schedule from Thursday-Sunday to Friday-Monday, which the four-member board did. Stoddard said that the track was approached about the change by the TVG Network, which said it would televise Ruidoso Downs' full card on Mondays.

“I remember that Ruidoso Downs tried to race on a Friday-Monday schedule a few years ago, but it was before gaming and it didn't go over,” said Fowler, a resident of Ruidoso. “Now we have better purses and a better product, so I think it's the perfect time to make this type of change. It will be a great thing for New Mexico racing.”

Stoddard added that the week of August 18-21 will be the only time Ruidoso Downs will maintain its Thursday-Sunday schedule, to accommodate the All American Futurity (G1) trials and New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale. August 22 will be the only Monday with no live racing at the track.

Also, the commission confirmed the expiration of Horse Racing at Raton's racing license, which expired on December 31, 2010. In doing so, the commission accepted the February 9 recommendation of a hearing officer who found that La Mesa Racetrack and Casino's racing license expired on its own, as it was only for 2010 and no live races were held during the year.

Fowler said the commission and its staff would formalize the application process in the next 45 days so new applications for the license can be accepted.

However, developer Michael Moldenhauer, who held the La Mesa racing license, said he would go to court to prevent the licensing process from being reopened to other applicants.

La Mesa is already in court concerning its gaming license, which was revoked last May by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board.

The next New Mexico Racing Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, March 24, at the commission's headquarters in Albuquerque. The executive session will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by a public session starting at 10:30.

For more information, contact the commission at (505) 222-0700, or visit its website at www.nmrc.state.nm.us.