Live racing returns to New Mexico at SunRay Park

SunRay Park will be the first track in New Mexico to conduct live racing this year when it opens for an 18-date meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses on Friday. The season runs through May 30.

There has been no racing in New Mexico since Zia Park closed in December. Sunland Park follows that season, but its meet was called off due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic prompted SunRay to cancel its 2020 meet.

But the track is back Friday with a nine-race card that drew 72 horses. The feature is a $34,000 entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up over 4 1/2 furlongs. Jockey Alejandro Medellin rides Red Rascal in the feature and is nearing 1,000 wins in the United States and Canada. He is sitting at 990 wins, according to a notice from Equibase.

SunRay will offer 10 stakes, and the schedule starts Saturday with the $40,000 Russell and Helen Foutz Distaff for fillies and mares bred in New Mexico. The 6 1/2-furlong race will be run around two turns, and the field includes multiple stakes winner Waltzing Attila.

SunRay will race Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with a first post of 2:15 p.m. Mountain. Admission is free and face masks are required, according to SunRay’s website.