State-bred racing remains strong in New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 28,2011 - New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association executive director Anna Fay Davis presented to the New Mexico Racing Commission on October 27th, her race-a-day reports for Zia Park and The Downs at Albuquerque.

During the first 24 days of the Zia Park meet, September 11-October 18, the track ran 135 New Mexico-bred races, 91 for Thoroughbreds and 44 for Quarter Horses, marking an increase of nearly 13 percent from the 120 state-bred races Zia Park carded during the first 24 days of its 2010 season.

Also during the first 20 days of the Zia Park meet, a total of 129 New Mexico-breds raced in open overnight races, of which 28 (22 percent) finished first, second, or third. Of this total, two were Thoroughbreds and 26 were Quarter Horses. Bonuses totaling $23,741.60 were paid to the owners of these horses.

The 50-day Zia Park meet runs through Tuesday, December 4.

During the first 38 days of its 2011 meet, The Downs at Albuquerque ran 145 New Mexico-bred races – 76 for Thoroughbreds and 69 for Quarter Horses. By comparison, the track carded 182 state-bred races during the first 44 days of its 2010 season, 106 for Thoroughbreds and 76 for Quarter Horses.

For purposes of comparison, The Downs at Albuquerque ran an average of 3.82 New Mexico-bred races during the first 38 days of its current meet, which is a decrease of nearly 8 percent from the average of 4.14 state-bred races contested during the first 44 days during its 2010 meet.

Also, a total of 397 New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses ran in open overnight races during the first 38 days of the Albuquerque meet, of which 119 (30 percent) finished first, second or third. Of this total, 56 were Thoroughbreds and 63 were Quarter Horses. Bonuses totaling $56,570 were paid to the owners of these horses.

The Downs at Albuquerque meet runs through Sunday, November 13.

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