FARMINGTON – The New Mexico Racing Commission has unanimously approved SunRay Park’s request to move its racino from Farmington to Clovis, a site nearly 400 miles away.
The commission’s vote came Tuesday during a special meeting after months of public discussion. San Juan County, the city of Farmington and Zia Park in Hobbs all objected to the move. However, in-house counsel Richard Bustamante said the commission's goal is to support what is best for the industry.
During a public hearing Friday, SunRay President Paul Blanchard said the move was necessary because of the number of casinos near Farmington, according to the Eastern New Mexico News. That saturation contributed to a 60% decline in revenue at SunRay, which dropped from $10 million in 2011 to $4 million in 2024, Blanchard said.
“There are six casinos located within 100 miles of SunRay,” Blanchard wrote in an email to The New Mexican. “The oversaturation of gaming has negatively impacted SunRay’s ability to generate sufficient horse-racing purses to entice racehorse owners and trainers to Farmington.”
New Mexico has five operating racetracks. The live racing season is underway at Sunland Park, followed by seasons at SunRay Park, Albuquerque Downs and Zia Park. Ruidoso Downs will run its upcoming season at Albuquerque Downs because of facility damage caused by flooding and torrential rains.
While Farmington or San Juan County could apply for a racing license to replace SunRay, NMRC Executive Director Ismael Trejo said the state’s current licensing structure is sufficient.
“I think we’ve made it clear that it's our policy to not pursue the sixth racing license anytime soon,” Trejo said. “The climate for more racetracks in New Mexico is not conducive to the best interests in racing at this time.”
SunRay Park is operated by Western Gaming LLC. The grounds are leased from the county under an agreement set to expire in 2028.
Officials in San Juan County also opposed the proposed relocation, saying they felt blindsided when the plan became public. The county estimated more than 100 jobs, many held by Native Americans, will be lost in a region that has struggled economically as Public Service Company of New Mexico transitions from coal-fired power to renewable energy.
“We’re disappointed that the commission moved forward in a very quick and non-transparent fashion to move this license,” said San Juan County Manager Mike Stark. “We believe that one community’s gain shouldn’t be another community’s loss. That sixth license should be a transparent process.”
SunRay management began the effort to move the license in October, when the NMRC provisionally approved the relocation. The proposal includes a new racetrack and casino complex on a 200-acre site along U.S. Highway 60. In November, the Clovis City Commission voted unanimously to support the move.
Racing dates for this year were set last fall, meaning SunRay’s scheduled dates at its current location will still occur. It remains unclear if the Clovis facility will be ready to open in 2027.
“It’s tough to say right now,” Trejo said. “We have to see what issues arise during construction, but the goal originally was to be ready for 2027.”
Blanchard said moving to Clovis is projected to generate up to $50 million in annual tax revenue, at least seven times the current amount. While the casino is expected to open before the track, live racing in Clovis likely won't occur until 2028.
Racinos are a major industry in New Mexico. The five existing operations generated $261.4 million in gross casino gaming revenue in 2024, according to the American Gaming Association.
SunRay Park is scheduled to host 18 days of live racing this spring, from April 17 to May 24. The meet typically includes both thoroughbred and quarter horse races. The track ran 18 dates in 2024 and 21 dates in 2023.
