EL PASO, TX—APRIL 7, 2020—Horse racing in New Mexico is facing a crisis. In a story by Felix Chavez published today in the El Paso Times, it is the consensus among horsemen that New Mexico should have live racing.

Due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, no live racing has been held in New Mexico since March 15 when Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino held its final race. The 68-day meet, which was to end April 21, had to cancel such races as $700,000 Sunland Derby and the $200,000 Sunland Oaks. Also remaining on the 2020 card were the $350,000-est. Grade 2 West Texas Futurity and the $400,000-est. restricted Grade 2 New Mexican Spring Futurity.

Horse racing in some parts of the country and world are still going on with no spectators. But in New Mexico, there is no live horse racing and that has many in the industry wondering if that is the right thing to do.

Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park in Florida, Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, Fonner Park in Nebraska, Will Rogers Downs and Remington Park in Oklahoma and Los Alamitos racetrack in California continue to race in the United States. Racetracks in Hong Kong and Australia also continue to offer live racing.

“I would ask of the governor of New Mexico is to look at what the other tracks are doing to remain open in those states that have live racing. The governor should open New Mexico racetracks immediately as Florida has done with its tracks,” El Paso horse owner Kirk Robison, told Chavez. “It’s a tough situation for so many.”

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, along with the state’s health department, have worked to slow the spread of the virus by issuing several health orders. One of those orders was for the state’s horse racetracks and casinos to close with no live racing being offered.

“We’re abiding by the health order from our state for the greater good of society,” said Ismael “Izzy” Trejo, who is the Executive Director of the New Mexico Racing Commission. “It’s a tough time for all of our industry right now. I’ve been in racing for 48 years and have been through lots of ups and downs. This is one of the worst times we’ve been through. We’re trying to help our owners, our trainers, our jockeys as best we can.”

Horses have been allowed to remain at Sunland Park, only to gallop, until April 21. Trejo told Chavez there are talks of Sunland Park keeping the track open longer for horses.

"All of our tracks are trying to help as we deal with this," Trejo said.

The other tracks in New Mexico are SunRay Park in Farmington, Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino in Ruidoso, Zia Park in Hobbs and the Downs at Albuquerque.

SunRay Park was expected to start April 24 and Ruidoso's opening day is May 22, however the home of the Grade 1 All American Futurity, won’t allow horses or horsemen on the grounds until May 1.

“I understand what is going on right now with the virus and I’m not making light of it, but other tracks are running and they are doing things to maintain a healthy area to be able to run,” longtime trainer Todd Fincher said.

“We are being safe here on the backside at Sunland. I think we should be able to race. Even without spectators, people have the ability to wager on a race and provide some income into the sport. It’s been hard on a lot of owners, a lot of trainers, a lot of workers and also the agriculture business. I understand the governor has to make decisions, I understand she has to watch out for the safety of the citizens, but I don’t know if she has all the facts that she needs to have. I’m hopeful we can get back to racing as soon as we can.”

Horse racing in Texas and Louisiana has also been curtailed.

Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie has delayed their April 16 opening. Sam Houston Park canceled their final week of the Thoroughbred meet last month and cancelled its Quarter Horse meet, that was to open this month (April), completely. All four tracks, Harrah's Louisiana Downs, Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs and The Fair Grounds are closed for live racing.

“Without racing, owners will not be able to pay their bills and they make take their horses out of the care of the trainers,” trainer Fred Danley said. “We still have to be here for the horses and take care of them. It’s tough not knowing what’s going to happen. We have to try and keep these horses ready to go.”

Jockey are in a similar scenario.

Quarter horse jockey Alonso Rivera told Chavez he is eager to get back to work but also understands where the state of New Mexico is coming from.

“We all want to be back racing but safety is an issue and I get that,” Rivera said. “I don’t want to get my family sick. But I also see the racing at Remington Park in Oklahoma, and they are going ahead, and I haven’t heard of anyone getting the virus from that track. It’s a tough call, a tough situation for everyone. At the end of the day we want everyone to be healthy and safe, but we want to get back to work as quick as we can. I’ve been able to do some galloping, but the financial strain is hitting everyone to some extent.”

To read the complete story on the El Paso Times website CLICK HERE.