Horse owners push for lifting live racing ban at Sunland Park, Ruidoso Downs, other New Mexico tracks

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — New Mexico’s multimillion-dollar horse racing industry could resume live racing if strict protocols were imposed, a group of horse owners said Thursday as state racing regulators discussed the fiscal implications of the industry remaining idle because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Racing in the state was suspended weeks ago due to a string of public health orders aimed at limiting gatherings and curbing the spread of the virus. While the grandstands and casinos are empty, some stables are still operational as groomers and others take care of the horses.

Lifting the ban on live racing would need the approval of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has been adamant about social distancing serving as the most important tool in the fight against the virus. It would be up to the state Racing Commission to consider the options and make recommendations to the governor.

The commission was talking with track owners and planned to discuss the issue in an open meeting Thursday.

Commission chairwoman Beverly Bourguet said regulators have been looking at other states that are allowing racing without spectators to see what has worked and what hasn’t. She said the commission will listen to track owners and others before determining a path forward.

“We are in uncharted territory and not knowing how long we need to prioritize the health and safety of our people to combat this pandemic,” she said. “We will get through this, but we will need to move slowly and carefully with some protocols.”

That could mean racing with empty stands or perhaps waiting until fans are allowed to return, she said.

The effects of the racing ban have been felt across the industry — from track owners to the farmers who grow feed for the horses. The state’s coffers also are taking a hit as the industry in the last fiscal year reported more than $48 million in horse racing purses and gaming taxes totaled more than $62 million for track operators. Gaming machine net wins at the tracks also topped $240 million.

Richard Erhard with the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association described the industry as one of New Mexico’s top economic engines. Restarting racing by May 1 could help the state recover from the economic pains of the pandemic, he said.

He also said horse racing is unique in that shutting down completely as other businesses have done isn’t an option because the horses are “living, breathing animals that require constant supervision and care.”