Zia Park track report
Zia Park has increased the purses of a number of its stakes and introduced a major Quarter Horse invitational futurity as part of its 33-race schedule for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. The mixed meet will open Sept. 23 and continue through Dec. 12.
Of the stakes, 20 are for Thoroughbreds. Total stakes purses this meet exceed $3.8 million. Last year, the inaugural meet opened with a schedule of 32 stakes worth $2.4 million.
The richest Thoroughbred race is the $250,000 Zia Park Distance Championship, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up Dec. 10. Last year, it was worth $106,000.
The Zia Park Derby at 1 1/16 miles Dec. 9 has also been boosted in value, from $107,600 to $150,000. In another significant increase, the Premier Stakes, for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs Sept. 24, has gone from $50,000 to $150,000. Part of the purse is derived from the Breeders' Cup Fund.
The $250,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship for Quarter Horses will be run Dec. 3. The winners of nine Grade 1 futurities run outside of California will earn berths into the 440-yard race, including the winner of the All-American Futurity.
The New Mexico Cup program Nov. 12 will feature 11 stakes worth more than $1.5 million for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. The Classic Championship, at one mile, has been increased from $147,000 to $170,000 for this year's running.
2006 Zia Park stakes schedule
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Sat.,Sept. 23 | James Isaac Hobbs | 3YO & Up | 350 yards | $60,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 24 | Premier Stakes | 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 150,000 |
| Sat.,Oct. 7 | Lubbock Stakes | F&M, 3YO & Up | 400 yards | 60,000 |
| Sun.,Oct. 8 | Zia Park Distaff Stakes | F&M, 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat.,Oct. 14 | Kachina Mile | 3YO & Up | 1 mile | 75,000 |
| Sun.,Oct. 15 | Hobbs America Futurity | 2YO | 400 yards | 250,000 |
| Sun.,Oct. 15 | Hobbs America DerBy | 3YO | 440 yards | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Oct. 21 | Herman Jefferson | 3YO & Up, QH/TB | 870 yards | 60,000 |
| Sun.,Oct. 22 | Permian Basin Stakes | 2YO F | 6 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sun.,Oct. 29 | Governor's Stakes | 2YO | 6 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sun.,Oct. 29 | Cap Rock Stakes | 3YO F | 6 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat.,Nov. 4 | Lovington Stakes | 3YO & Up | 400 yards | 60,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 5 | Lea County Sprint | 3YO | 6 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat.,Nov. 11 | Veterans Stakes | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 100,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Cup Juvenile Fillies | 2YO F* | 6 1/2 furlongs | 130,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Cup Juvenile Colts | 2YO* | 6 1/2 furlongs | 130,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Cup Fillies Championship | 3YO F* | 6 1/2 furlongs | 130,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Cup Colts Championship | 3YO* | 6 1/2 furlongs | 130,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Cup Sprint Championship | 3YO & Up* | 6 furlongs | 155,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Cup Classic Championship | 3YO & Up* | 1 mile | 170,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Cup Fillies & Mares Champ. | F&M, 3YO & Up* | 6 1/2 furlongs | 155,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Classic Futurity | 2YO* | 400 yards | 110,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Classic Derby | 3YO* | 440 yards | 110,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Cup QH Championship | 3YO & Up* | 440 yards | 150,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 12 | NM Cup 870 Championship | 3YO & Up* | 870 yards | 130,000 |
| Fri.,Nov. 24 | Eddy County Stakes | 2YO | 1 mile | 75,000 |
| Sat.,Nov. 25 | Chaves County | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 mile | 75,000 |
| Sun.,Nov. 26 | Black Gold Casino Stakes | 3YO & Up | 1,000 yards | 75,000 |
| Sat.,Dec. 2 | Zia Park Express | 3YO & Up | 6 1/2 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sun.,Dec. 3 | Southwest Juv. Championship | 2YO** | 440 yards | 250,000 |
| Sat.,Dec. 9 | Zia Park Derby | 3YO | 1 1/16 miles | 150,000 |
| Sun., Dec. 10 | Zia Park Distance Championship | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles | 250,000 |
| Sun.,Dec. 10 | Zia Park QH Championship | 3YO & Up | 440 yards | 200,000 |
* New Mexico-bred; ** Invitational