Zia Park: Lorenzon wins Premier

Speed horses fared best on the inaugural program of racing at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., including Lorenzon, who led throughout to win the $50,000 Premier Stakes. Five of the six Thoroughbred races on the card were won by front-runners, with all of the Thoroughbred races held around one turn. The remaining five races on the opening program were for Quarter Horses.

Lorenzon ($9.80) led the Premier field through fractions of 23.20 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.60 for a half-mile. He went on to cover the six furlongs over a track rated fast in 1:10.80. Dangerous Devon finished a half-length back in second, and it was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to his entrymate, Go Kitty Go.

Joe Martinez rode Lorenzon for trainer Jon Arnett. The win was the first in a stakes for Lorenzon, who has won 6 of 13 starts and $84,316.

Zia Park has been operating a slots casino since last November. The more than 650 machines in operation have helped provide for an average daily purse structure of about $230,000.

Zia Park, which features a one-mile dirt track, cost more than $45 million to build. R.D. Hubbard is the majority owner of the racino, which will race through Dec. 4.

Officials said more than 3,000 patrons attended the opening day card.