The New Mexico Racing Commission met Thursday, March 19th, for their regularly called meeting. The following was discussed:

•    There will be a ground breaking NMRC meeting and ceremony for the new racetrack in Raton on May 20th. Everyone is invited to attend. Congratulations to the management at Raton.
•    Race days were reduced for Downs at Albuquerque from 66 days to 59, the same number of days that the DAA ran last year. The NMRC did not grant the 18 day reduction that The Downs of Albuquerque requested
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The NMRC Medication Committee met Wednesday, March 18th. The following was discussed:

•    Preliminary findings on anabolic steroids in New Mexico race horses since testing began on March 1st have resulted in one positive. The owner and trainer will be given a written warning. After May 31, 2009, positive tests are a class 3 violation (a 6 month suspension, loss of purse, $1,500 fine) that five suspicious tests have also been found and are still being investigated. The positive test was for testosterone and equipoise.
•    A level on testosterone was created for intact stallions. That level will be published shortly.
•    A possible amendment to toe grab height restrictions on quarter horses was considered. If accepted, the toe grab rule would permit quarter horses to wear toe grabs up to 6 millimeters.

The Meetings were well attended. As always, we encourage all the Horsemen to attend these meetings.

If Horsemen have any complaints regarding track personnel, please bring them to the Horsemen’s Office or voice them with the Track management. Each track has declared an open door policy. No complaints will result in persecution or unfair treatment.

Sunray Park will be open for training on Monday, March 23, 2009. The gates will be up.

Stall applications at Ruidoso with past performances are due March 23rd, 2009 for both quarter horses and thoroughbreds. Please get them in on time.

The NMRC will hold their June meeting at Sunray Park on June 24th. More information will be available soon.

 

Horsemen: Make sure when traveling you have a current brand certificate. If you have any questions, contact the New Mexico Livestock Board at 505 252 7446.