Note To Horsemen Re: NMRC Meetings, November, 2008 and other Matters

The Racing Commission met on November 20, 2008 at a regularly called meeting.

The Racing Commission set the following meeting dates for the first 2 quarters of 2009:

January 22 (Albuquerque)

February 19 ( Sunland Park) NMHA Awards Banquet will be held on February 19 at Sunland Park.

March 17 (Albuquerque)

April 15 ( Belen)

May 20 (Albuquerque)

June 17 (Sante Fe)

All Commission meetings scheduled for Albuquerque will take place at the NMRC offices at Jefferson/Alameda in Albuquerque. Commission phone number is 505.222.0700. The NMRC Sunland Park meeting will take place at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. Sites for the Belen and Santa Fe meetings will be announced shortly.

The New Mexico Horsemen’s Association State Board monthly meetings starting in January, 2009 and going through June, 2009 will take place the day before the New Mexico Racing Commission meetings. The NMHA meetings start at 10:00.

NMHA State Board Meetings will take place on: January 21, February 18, March 16, April 14, May 19 and June 16, 2009.

On February 18, 2008 the NMHA State Board will meet at Sunland Park for its regular monthly meeting. All other NMHA meetings will be held at the NMHA Main office at 217 Palomas, NW, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Our telephone number is 505.266.7056. Cell phone is 505.205.6650, Fax is 505.266.0643. e-mail is nmhastate1@aol.com. Website: www.newmexicohorsemen.com. Go to our blog site at http//:blog.newmexicohorsemen.com for up to date information on meetings and other items that may be of interest to you. Better yet send us a e-mail at nmhastate1@aol.com and we’ll add you to our e-mail list so that you can receive Horsemen’s news instantaneously over the internet.

Please plan to attend the NMRC meetings as well as the NMHA State Board meetings. Among the topics that will be discussed in the upcoming months are the planned NEW Racetracks in Raton, NM and Moriarty. Horsemen input on these topics is very important.

At the Racing Commission the following was discussed and acted upon:

Toe grabs: The NMRC rule regarding the height of toe grabs on the front shoes of Thoroughbreds that race and work at New Mexico racetracks was formally amended. The amended rule will reduce the front toe grab height on Thoroughbreds only from 4mm to 2mm. This rule amendment becomes effective on January 1, 2009. Any TB that has a front toe grab in excess of 2mm racing at a New Mexico will be scratched from the race. The stewards may take further disciplinary action in addition to scratching the horse from the race. Toe grab size on the quarter horse will remain at the present 4mm for front shoes. There is no height limit for the toe grabs on the hind shoes for either breed. Consult your farrier and make sure that you are in compliance by January 1, 2009.

The NMRC enacted a policy of preserving the run or zero date (whichever is applicable) for a horse that runs in any futurity trial at Sunland Park. The horse that runs in the futurity trial shall maintain the run or zero date that it had at the time that the futurity or derby trial was entered. The run date of the futurity trial will not be used for eligibility purposes. This policy shall be effective only for the 2008-2009 race meet at Sunland Park.

Track Soil Samples:

A policy was enacted to standardize the taking of soil samples at New Mexico racetracks. Effective immediately the Horsemen and Track Management will jointly take soil samples every 30 calendar days at each race track that is racing. This will eliminate questions that arise over whether the sample has been properly taken in the first place and will ensure that the track’s soil composition is monitored and amended if necessary on a schedule.

Discussion of Jockeys riding obligations/vet scratches etc. : The Commission entertained discussion of situations where the jockey of a horse initiates the scratch of horses after horse and rider make it up on the racing strip. The Commission also discussed what to do when a jockey fails to meet their obligations after accepting the ride on a horse. The NMRC Rules Committee will review the matter in more depth at its January meeting.

The NMRC discussed the topic of what to do regarding horses that are allowed to race with a run date earned at another track that is better than horses that have run at the track where the race is being offered. After some discussion the Commissioners encouraged more careful oversight by the racing office and the stewards of the horse’s run dates at entry time.

New Mexico Horse Breeders report:

Anna Fay Davis reported an increase over last year of the number of NM Bred races being run at ZIA Park. ZIA Park is now running over 5 NM Bred races per day as compared with 4 + last year. She reported that more Horsemen are entering their NM Bred horses in open company with increasing success. Breed horse that run with open company will receive a bonus from the Breeders in addition to regular purse amounts for placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any open race. Track breeder’s awards and end of year Breeders’ awards will also apply. Anna Fay reported that incentive checks totaling over $4.5 million were recently sent to owners, breeders and stallion owners of New Mexico Bred horses.

Progress at Raton: The NMRC met on November 13, 2009 at a special called meeting to discuss the progress of plans for Racing at Raton. The representatives from Raton laid out a preliminary a site plan for the barn area, casino, grand stand and racetrack. The Racetrack at Raton calls for 1,500 stalls, a mile oval, a hotel and RV center. All utilities are present at the site and it appears to be very accessible from interstate 25. The grandstand would face east. The plans are to have the Casino open on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2009, with racing to begin around Memorial Day, in 2010. More than 59 days of racing will take place in 2010. The management of Racing at Raton stated that they will work closely with Horsemen as their plans take shape.

Progress at Downs Moriarty: The NMRC meet in Moriarty on November 6, 2008 to review progress for the new track at Moriarty. The City of Moriarty has requested an appropriation from the State Legislature to cover the infrastructure (utilities, electricity etc.) for the proposed site of the New Downs at Albuquerque.

Other:

Radio Commercials

For the first time in recent memory, the NMHA ran radio commercials in the Hobbs area. The ads reached the surrounding area of Hobbs including Roswell, Ruidoso, Carlsbad, Artesia, Lovington, Clovis, Lubbock and Midland-Odessa in the days preceding the New Mexico Classic Cup Day and afterwards. It appears that the ads were a success based upon handle increases and anecdotal reports of increased numbers of fans on track at ZIA Park. Plans are being made to repeat the effort. The radio commercials- comprised of 135 spots in all- were broadcast on 3 stations at a total cost of $1,008.00. This was money well spent. The ads promoted the Classic Cup Day and live quarterhorse and thoroughbred racing at ZIA Park. The ads noted that horseracing in New Mexico is one of New Mexico’s best entertainment values and that our Association is made up of families racing in New Mexico since 1966.

Sunland Park:

The Sunland Park Barn area is open for training. The Track Management, Racing Commission and Horsemen will do a walkthrough of the barn area etc. on Tuesday, November 25, 2008. The walkthrough will take place at about 10:30. All Horsemen are invited to attend.

Downs at Albuquerque.

The Downs ended its fall race meet on November 16, 2008. The Downs is staying open for training over this winter and spring. Cost is 4$ per day per stall. The Downs will offer timed workouts on each Wednesday from about 7:00 am to 10:30 am. We will be in contact with the Downs about scheduling gate works in the very near future.

We wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving. It’s a blessing to race our horses in New Mexico.

Congradulations to Peppers Pride and her connections, on her brilliant 18th straight victory on New Mexico Classic Cup day.

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments about anything having to do with the NMHA, this note or racing in New Mexico. 505.266.7056. If we can’t answer your question we’ll sure try to get you to the right person who can.

If you are interested in receive this note as an e-mail please send us an e-mail at nmhastate1@aol.com and well add you to our e-mail address list. We will only use your e-mail address to send you information from the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association.

Best Regards,

Very truly yours,

Pat Bingham, Executive Director, NMHA

 

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