Delta Downs, Sunland Park set dates

Delta has been granted an 88-date Thoroughbred meet from Oct. 19, 2011 to March 17, 2012. The track will race on a Wednesday-through-Saturday basis. There will be no live racing on Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve, with special Tuesday cards added on the weeks of those holidays. The meet’s premiere race, the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot, is Nov. 19. The 1 1/16-mile stakes for 2-year-olds will be held on a special afternoon card that will include the Grade 3 Delta Downs Princess.

Sunland Park, which is right over the border from El Paso, Texas, received approvals for a 77-date mixed meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses during a recent meeting of the New Mexico Racing Commission. The season will open Dec. 6, 2011 and run through April 17, 2012.

◗ A New Mexico racing fan had the one winning ticket on last Saturday’s pick six at Hollywood, which after taxes returned $525,500. The $96 ticket was sold at Sunland, according to a release from the track.

◗ The New Mexico Racing Commission has opened the application period for the state’s sixth and final racing license. The application window runs from June 2 to Sept. 2.

◗ Trainer Henry Dominguez was nearing the 1,000th Thoroughbred win of his career on Tuesday. He was at 996 heading into the afternoon’s card at Sun Ray Park in Farmington, N.M.

◗ Louisiana Downs is not racing on Thursday this week because it has a special holiday card on Monday.