Zia hires Crawford as racing secretary
Matt Crawford has been named manager of racing operations and racing secretary at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., according to a press release from the track. Crawford also will remain the racing secretary at Sam Houston, where he oversees the meets for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.
Zia puts on a mixed meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. The 56-date season opens Sept. 9.
The track is seeking an announcer and a track superintendent for the upcoming season, according to a press release issued Thursday.
◗ Cristina Bonilla, whose mentors include Hall of Fame rider Randy Romero, got the first win of her career Thursday night at Evangeline Downs. She guided Superstitious Swan ($6) to an 11-length win in the fourth race for owner and trainer Roland Bruno. Bonilla had six career mounts through Thursday.
◗ Justin Evans won his fifth Sunland training title at the meet that ended last month. Ry Eikleberry was the leading Thoroughbred rider for the fifth season in a row. He won five races on the closing-day card April 18. The leading Quarter Horse jockey for the third season in a row was Esgar Ramirez.
◗ The seventh race Sunday at Lone Star is named for the late Dale Coleman. He was a racing official at Lone Star and a longtime steward at Louisiana Downs.
◗ Sunland Park announced that there is a new, 78-room boutique hotel on the track grounds. It opened April 21.