Sunland Park Racetrack overcomes equine herpes virus issues

Live horse racing is about to return to Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino in December.

Racetrack managers told ABC-7 Wednesday they have overcome the serious issues that affected racing last season.

The equine herpes virus – or EV-1 – led to quarantines in the stables and the cancelation of races. Racetrack managers say preventing similar issues in the future is still very much at the forefront of concerns this season.

The racetrack lost a block of 15 racing days across 25 calendar days last racing season. Horse owners lost money waiting for their horses to be cleared and surrounding businesses lost money because of a dip in visitors.

In fact, the entire City of Sunland Park saw big dips in traffic and tax revenues. City Manager Bob Gallagher told ABC-7 the area sees about 15,000 more people every weekend during racing season, with up to 40,000 to 50,000 more during the big races like the Sunland Park Derby.

Tax revenue from racetrack activity are a major contributor to the city’s funds, adding $30,000 to $40,000 more on top of of $250,000 – $300,000 usual monthly totals during racing season.

With so much riding in and around the racetrack and casino having a full season this year, managers are keeping a close eye on health and safety procedures implemented last year. They have also issued new bio-security ship-in policies for the racing starting Dec.16.

“We’re starting with the same protocols we ended with last year. We’re not going to back off of our protocols at all. There’s got to be a lot of health certificates for each horse, not just a barn,” said Rick Baugh, general manager of Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.

Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino has release a list of some of the big event and racing dates for the upcoming racing season:

Holiday Fair at The Park – Dec. 17 & 18 2nd Annual Tequila and Margarita Festival – Jan. 14 New Mexico Day Celebration – Jan. 28 2nd Annual Whiskey & Bourbon Festival – Feb. 4 2nd Annual Mariachi Festival – Feb. 25 2017 Sunland Park Derby Weekend Events – March 25 & 26 Family Day at The Park – April 15

The racetrack is stressing health and safety requirements for the horses entering any on-site facility.

All horsemen are to be advised of the policy for shipping all horses into the Sunland park Racetrack barn area.

The following documentation must be provided for every horse at the stable gate before they can gain access into the barn area at Sunland Park:

A current health certificate issued within 72 hours prior to arrival (from place of origin) at the track which shows the vaccination record for each horse. The horse must have been vaccinated with an FDA approved modified live or killed virus vaccine for EHV-1 not less than 14 days and not more than 180 days prior to date of entry. The veterinarian must provide the date of vaccination, the brand serial number, and the expiration date of vaccine. The health certificate must also contain a statement by the issuing veterinarian that he/she has physically examined each horse within 72 hours of issuing the health certificate stating that the horse does not exhibit and clinical signs of the virus and the temperature of the horse was normal at the time of examination. It is highly recommended that horsemen keep every horse admitted to or in the barn area of Sunland Park Racetrack on a current 90 day FDA approved EHV-1 vaccine or EHV-1 booster schedule.

Additionally, The New Mexico State Racing Commission requires that all horses entering Sunland Park must have proof of:

A negative annual Coggins Test. A negative piroplasmosis test completed within the last two years for Quarter Horses. An influenza vaccination within the last six months. A Rhinopneumonitis vaccination within the last six months. Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis, Tetanus and West Nile vaccinations within the last 12 months.

The Sunland Park barn area opens on November 28.

The racetrack will be open for training starting on December 2.

For further information regarding New Mexico Racing Industry Contagious Disease Prevention, please call the Sunland Park Racing Office at (575) 874-5229.