NMRC  Meeting Summary:                                        January 30, 2012

Meeting date: 1/25/12

1. Acting NMRC Executive Director Vince Mares was formally offered and accepted the position.
2. Four proposed rules were discussed and adopted unanimously by the NMRC with all 5 members voting. There were some minor non-substantive changes made during discussion and comment period. The full text of the new rules has been requested by this office and will be forwarded to the track offices and track committee members upon receipt. The proposed rule authorizing Stewards to cancel races with fewer than 4 betting interests was tabled prior to the NMRC meeting. The memorandum in opposition drafted by this office was supported by the stewards and was instrumental in the proposal being defeated.
3. SunRay Park will open for training on April 10, 2012, 10 days before the first race day. Barn area will open on April 9. The track will remain open for training until July 16,20 days after the meet has concluded.
4. Sunland Park Safety Meeting held 1/16/12 was discussed. There was a consensus among trainers, veterinarians, jockeys and management that the track was in very good shape. The data contained in the injury report supported this conclusion. Tony Martinez and management were commended for their efforts.
5. NMHA Director report focused primarily on 2 issues:
6. The need for all tracks to follow the example of Sunland Park and to commit resources and effort to ensure the safest possible racing surface. It was pointed out to the Commission that Sunland Park started work on the track on September 25, 2012, a full 7 weeks before horses were allowed on the track and almost 11 weeks before the meet started. Dustin Dix stated at the Safety Meeting that he had always been given the money  neededto provide his crew with the proper equipment and materials. Like all tracks Sunland Park is a business that watches the bottom line but they do not skimp when it comes to providing the resources necessary to ensure the safety of the horses and riders. The NMRC was informed that not all Associations operate in this manner and to realize that a good track surface is the product of effort, commitment and resources. The best track man in the world is of no value if the equipment, manpower and materials are not available to him. The Associations should understand that attention to the track surface is a non-negotiable item and a cost of doing business. Proper materials should be on site and some guidelines should be in place for when work should commence prior to a meet. The NMRC and the NMHA should have access to the ledgers describing how much money is spent on materials for each meet. (It should be noted that, to date, no Association has refused to provide this information)
7. The obligation of the Association to open for stabling and training 30 days prior to the meet. The focus was on Albuquerque Downs’ inability to open until July 29, 2012 due to the Arabian Horse Show contract. It was pointed out the Downs requested their dates with full knowledge that they would have a conflict with the Arabians. It was also noted that the horsemen had offered a significant concession in agreeing with opening SunRay Park only 10 days before the meet thus freeing up 20 days to tack on at the end of the meet. This compromise benefittedAlbuquerque as it reduced the gap between SunRay closing and the Downs opening to 11 days. The horses are training to compete at the Downs meet and it is not the fault of the horsemen that the plant will not be available. The Downs should cover the cost of training and stabling at SunRay from July 17-28. Negotiations with Ms. Wolf and Mr. Windham have so far been unsuccessful as they have flatly refused to acknowledge they have any obligation in this regard. Chairman Doughty asked that the dialogue continue after I informed him that I suspected no agreement would be reached and that I would brief the Commission on the issue and ask that they rule on the matter.

Jack McGrail, Executive Director NMHA