McGary named announcer at Zia Park; stakes schedule released

John McGary will be the new announcer for Zia Park, according to Matt Crawford, manager of racing operations for the Hobbs, N.M., track. McGary also will continue to serve as the announcer at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., but will vacate his position at Mahoning Valley in Ohio.

Zia opens for a mixed meet Sept. 9. McGary will begin calling the races at Zia on Sept. 16 in order to call the biggest race of the meet at Louisiana Downs, the Super Derby on Sept. 9. McGary said Robert Fox will call the Zia races for the first week of the meet, and Mike Persichino will fill in for the final two weeks at Louisiana Downs.

McGary also will call the Quarter Horse meet at Louisiana Downs. He said part of the appeal of Zia was the ability to stay year round in the Southwest.

McGary said he has a home in Bossier City after getting married in 2016.

“I get to stay home,” said McGary.

“I loved Mahoning Valley.”

McGary, 51, began his announcing career in 1993. He said his first full-time job came at Arapahoe Park. McGary also has called races at The Downs at Albuquerque, the fair circuit in his native California, and Evangeline Downs. He is in his third Thoroughbred season at Louisiana Downs after spending a decade with Evangeline.

Zia Park Oaks, Derby set for Nov. 22

The $300,000 Zia Park Oaks and the $200,000 Zia Park Derby, both at 1 1/16 miles, will again top the annual Land of Enchantment program of stakes at the track Nov. 22. Zia will run nine stakes on the Wednesday card, with six for Thoroughbreds and three for Quarter Horses. The $1.2 million program will include the $150,000 Zia Park Championship over 1 1/8 miles and the $150,000 Zia Park Quarter Horse Championship.

Zia will open for a 56-date meet on Sept. 9. The season continues through Dec. 12. Zia will race Saturdays through Tuesdays most weeks, with Saturday cards solely for Quarter Horses and Monday and Tuesday cards only for Thoroughbreds. Sunday cards will be mixed.

The $2 million New Mexico Cup card of divisional statebred stakes is Oct. 29. The Grade 1, $200,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship for Quarter Horses is Dec. 3. Zia has scheduled a number of Thoroughbred stakes on Mondays. In all, the track will run 32 stakes worth $3.8 million.