ALBUQUERQUE, NM—MAY 30, 2020—The New Mexico Horse Racing commission on Thursday approved an agreement between the state’s five tracks, the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association and the New Mexico Breeders Association to redistribute more than $3.2 million in purse taxes from Sunland and SunRay to accounts at Ruidoso Downs and Albuquerque Downs.

The taxes would typically be allocated to the horsemen and breeders for purses and awards at the respective tracks. As part of the agreement, Ruidoso and Albuquerque will add races to their calendars.

Live horse racing resumed in New Mexico at Ruidoso Downs earlier this month, without spectators and with only online and drive-thru wagering, allowed under the ongoing public health order aimed at limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Spectators make up at least half of what is usually bet on races at Ruidoso and some state racing regulators expressed concerns during a Commission meeting on Thursday.

Sunland Park in Southeastern New Mexico ran only a partial meet this Spring and SunRay Park in northwestern New Mexico never opened for live racing.

“It’s really, really hurting financially all these tracks and we need to have their welfare at the top of our minds as well as the horsemen and the breeders,” Commissioner Billy Smith said during the meeting. “It affects everybody. It kind of rolls downhill. They get hurt, we get hurt, the horsemen get hurt, the breeders get hurt. Everybody gets hurt off of something like this.”

Commission Chairwoman Beverly Bourguet said officials at Ruidoso Downs have taken on the challenge of running live races under strict new protocols and the reality of a much smaller handle despite a hit to its own pocketbook.

Racing continues this weekend at Ruidoso where the track has put in place protocols that include daily temperature and health screenings. Everyone at the track also must wear a face covering.

Racing Commission Executive Director Izzy Trejo said it was with short notice that staff came together to gear up for the resumption of racing. He and others said they’re hopeful spectators will be allowed in the stands soon.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has targeted June 1 for the easing of more restrictions on businesses as state health officials have said coronavirus infections and deaths remain below peak levels. However, the opening of casinos and tracks is not expected until a later phase, state officials have said.