Sunland Park racetrack rolls with the weather

While many might cancel plans when there’s rough weather like today, some places like the Sunland Park Racetrack don’t have the option.

For the track management staff at the racetrack, bad weather is something they have to be ready for every day.

“When it rains a lot, yes it can be an issue,” said track manager Anthony Martinez. “It can wash out the track and create problems.”

For Martinez and his staff, it’s a delicate balancing act.They have to keep the track to an exact depth of loose dirt based on the conditions outside to keep the horses running.

But it’s more than just about keeping it exciting.If the weather gets bad suddenly, the dirt could slow down and even injure the horses and riders.

“We’ll be going shallower and shallower as the mud gets deeper and deeper,” Martinez said.

The show must go on, no matter what is going on outside.

:My job is to make sure that we race at all points in all weather, whether it’s rain, sleet, snow, no matter what,” Martinez said. “The only time that the jockeys shouldn’t race or don’t race is when it’s lightning.”