State's racetracks favor Raton over Tucumcari

Representatives of New Mexico's five racetracks have weighed in with their support for adding a racetrack in Raton, according to copies of letters sent over the past 21 days to the New Mexico Racing Commission.

Raton,  Santa Fe and Tucumcari are vying for the state's sixth racetrack license, which is up for discussion at a closed session at today's meeting of the New Mexico Racing Commission.

The Commission will announce today when it will hold a special meeting to declare which group has been selected, said Julian Luna, deputy director of the commission.
Coronado Partners, LLC, whose principal is auto dealer and businessman Don Chalmers of Albuquerque, wants to build Coronado Park in Tucumcari.

 At a public hearing held by commissioners on July 24 in Tucumcari, about 1,400 people attended. Most were in favor of the development of a racetrack and casino.

Meanwhile, the New Mexico Horsemen's Association, which sent its letter Monday to the commission, is not supporting one proposal over another.
"Each of the proposals have obvious benefits and some concerns. In their deliberations over which proposal to endorse, the NMHA Board of Directors was unable to reach a consensus. Consequently, I am not authorized to declare the support of the Association for any one proposal," wrote Pat Bingham, executive director of the New Mexico Horsemen's Association.

Sunland Park's resident manager Harold Payne wrote that "The summer race dates in the northern part of the state seem to make the most sense and would be complimentary to other other tracks in the state. Hopefully, Raton would attract horsemen  and owners who have left our state to race in surrounding states."

SunRay's Park CEO Byron Campbell stated that the"Tucumcari racetrack will compete with the new Moriarty racetrack for freeway customers that will be necessary for Moriarty's success."

The SunRay Park and Casino is in Farmington.

Campbell wrote the commission had an "obligation to provide them (Moriarty) with some protection from competition."

Campbell also said SunRay favored Raton over Santa Fe because its casino would be in direct competition with other large tribal casinos that have significant competitive advantages over racetrack casinos. "Those competitive advantages will reduce Santa Fe's potential slot revenue just as the New Mexico tribal casinos have already done to the Albuquerque and Ruidoso racetrack casinos. As a consequence, the 20 percent of Santa Fe's potential slot revenue that would go towards purses and breeders will also be equally diminished."

Ann McGovern, president and general manager of Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino, also wrote in  favor of Raton. She said Raton's addition "would meet the goal of the New Mexico Horsemen's Association to maintain northern and southern racing circuits."

Albuquerque Downs' Don E. Cook, president of racing, also endorsed Raton.

Cook said, "with 103 days of racing in the north and 190 days racing in the south, live race days in Raton would go a long way in helping to achieve balance."

Bill Hayles of Zia Park & Black Gold Casino also supported Raton because it would help balance the number of race days between the northern and southern circuit.

The Commission's decision will be made fairly, Luna said.

To make its decision the Commission will rely on the statutory requirements for granting a license to operate a race meet.

Among the many requirements, such as proof of financial health and other matters, the New Mexico law states that the Commission "may consider the following factors: public interest, health of the industry, safety and welfare of participants" as well as the law's other regulations.

The Commission also has to solicit and consider the views of the Indian tribes, nations and pueblos, the law states.