Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico announced Saturday that it has delayed until further notice receving horses on its grounds for the meet that opens May 22. 

Ruidoso intended to open for stabling April 15 but ameded that to April 5 to help accommodate horsemen facing shutdowns at other tracks due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the date of April 5 now conflicts with certain statewide restrictions related to the coronavirus. 

 “Our goal has been to prepare for the recovery and the resumption of racing at Ruidoso Downs by offering definitive dates of arrival,” Jeff True, president and general manager of Ruidoso, said in the press release. “This is a very fluid situation and the news of the past week made the ownership feel we have not yet reached a point that we can safely open the barn area under the Governor’s current mandates. The health and safety of our community and our racing industry has to be the top priority.”

 The statewide restrictions are currently effective through April 9, according to the press release from Ruidoso.