Zia Park names Junk racing secretary

Robbie Junk has been named racing secretary for the Zia Park meet that opens Sept. 6, the Hobbs, N.M., track announced Tuesday. Zia also has hired Johnnie Jamison as its starter. The track’s 52-date mixed meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses will run through Dec. 2.

Junk, 54, was the racing secretary at Zia when the track opened in 2005. He now serves in the same capacity at Sunland Park, the New Mexico track that races from December through April. Jamison, 57, comes to Zia from Indiana Grand.

“Bringing on Robbie and Johnnie adds a tremendous amount of depth and experience to our racing team,” Fred Hutton, director of racing operations for Zia, said in a release.

Junk said his goal is to bring new stables to Zia. Stall applications for the meet close July 18. Jamison began his career as a starter in New Mexico at The Downs at Albuquerque in 1987. He is the son of veteran trainer O.D. Jamison Sr.

Zia has made a number of improvements to its facility since last season and in August will open a 154-room hotel that overlooks the track. Last year, it broke ground on the new hotel. Zia is owned by Penn National Gaming.