New Mexico sets '09 race dates

Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., will race an additional four days in 2009 after its schedule for next year received approval from the New Mexico State Racing Commission. The track, which is in the middle of a 53-date meet, will run 57 days in 2009, from Sept. 12 through Dec. 8. Zia's meet will be for both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.

Sunland Park, which opens a 77-date mixed meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses on Dec. 12, received approval for its traditional winter-spring meet to extend through April 21, 2009.

In other allotments, all for mixed meets, SunRay Park in Farmington will run 44 dates in 2009, from April 17 to June 28. Ruidoso Downs was granted a 63-date meet from May 22 to Labor Day, Sept. 7.

The Downs at Albuquerque will host 49 dates, from Aug. 14 to Nov. 22. In the middle of that meet, the New Mexico State Fair will have a 17-day run, from Sept. 11- 27.