Zia Park suspends racing through Nov. 30

New Mexico officials on Friday issued new statewide restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic that will force Zia Park in Hobbs to suspend live racing through Nov. 30.

The meet featuring racing for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses is scheduled to run through Dec. 23.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for non-essential businesses, including horse racing, to cease all in-person operations beginning Monday, said Chris McErlean, vice president of racing for Penn National Gaming, the parent company of Zia.

The restriction runs through Nov. 30.

Zia is the lone track currently racing in New Mexico.

“Our facility will remain open for training and stabling,” said McErlean.

McErlean said plans going forward will depend on future orders from the governor. There could be an update Thanksgiving weekend.

Zia has been unable to operate its ontrack casino since March because of the pandemic. The track on Wednesday was able to run eight New Mexico-bred stakes for Thoroughbreds as part of its annual New Mexico Cup.