Zia Park readies for September 10th opener

Hobbs, NM, August 20, 2011 - With the sixth year of racing set to open on September 10, the track surface at Zia Park has been undergoing renovations to maintain it's quality and safety.

Overseeing the renovations is Dennis Moore, whose forty year career in track surface work includes consulting and work assignments at famed tracks like Hollywood Park and Los Alamitos. Moore is working with Ron Collier who is entering his second season at the helm of the track crew at Zia Park.

Under the watchful eyes of Moore and Collier, the team has been removing the top two inches of the racing surface and adding two inches of finer, locally sourced, sand (four to five thousand tons) as well as adding gypsum to the mix. Once the material is placed on the track, it will be graded to create a uniform cushion.

“The addition of gypsum correctly balances out the high calcium content in the soil and water, and the finer sand will help reduce the clay content that will eliminate compaction,” said Moore. "That, and the continued best maintenance practices of our track crew will give it a fluffy feel on the surface, additionally these materials will make the track bind more consistently, giving the track a better feel, especially when it rains.”

According to Zia Park Assistant General Manager, Rick Baugh, the results will be clear to see, “The track is going to look better, feel better and race better. Over the past year Zia has had nationally recognized track experts in to review our track surface with very positive reports. We know tweaks are always needed with any surface, and with the quality of racing continually improving at Zia Park, we are committed to a safe and fair racing surface for our equine and human athletes,” said Baugh.

The 2011 race meet commences at Zia Park on September 10.