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After 650 days, horse racing will return to Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino

Sunland Park, New Mexico -- Twenty-one months have passed since there was a horse race at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, and now they're returning.

On March 12, 2020, the track and casino had to close its doors due to Covid-19.

"We're hoping that this is a mark of some normality," Eric Alwin, Sunland Park track announcer said.

This season, starting New Years Eve, they'll be racing on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday up until April 3. All in all, there will be a total of 55 races including the coveted Sunland Derby - which is a stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby.

Casinos are the main source of funds for prize money - so when the Sunland Park Casino closed, it was hard for the track to find funds to hold races.

The casino opened back up in March of this year and now the track is able to allocate $250,000 to each race and $500,000 to the Sunland Derby.

"The moneys there and we're back on our feet operating at a pretty big level now," Alwin said.

Article Topic Follows: Sports

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Rachel Phillips

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