Sunland granted eight additional days of racing

The New Mexico Racing Commission has granted Sunland Park in New Mexico eight additional race dates, which will extend the current meet to May 3. Sunland’s meet was originally scheduled to end on April 19.

The additional dates will be April 22, 23, 24, 26, 29, 30, May 1 and May 3.

Sunland was forced to suspend live racing on Jan. 23 due to an outbreak of equine herpesvirus. Racing resumed Feb. 26 and a quarantine was lifted March 9. There were 68 horses onsite who tested positive for equine herpesvirus, according to Sunland.

Sunland puts on its richest program Sunday, with the running of seven stakes worth a total of $1.1 million. The centerpiece is the $415,000 Sunland Park Racing Festival Stakes, a 3-year-old route that replaces this year’s canceled Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Park Derby.