The New Mexico Racing Commission on Thursday approved the cancellation of the 2020-2021 meet at Sunland Park, according to Izzy Trejo, the agency's executive director. The state's tracks have been unable to operate their casinos under New Mexico's Department of Health orders. The gaming revenues are to key to purses. The casinos at the state's tracks have been closed since the early stages of the pandemic in 2020. 

The status of the Sunland Park meet had been addressed month to month by the commission as parties awaited any movement of orders. The Sunland meet typically runs from late December into April, but this year was scheduled to end in March. The track is the home of the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby, a points race for the Kentucky Derby.

Also during Thursday's meeting, Sam Bregman was elected chairman of the New Mexico Racing Commission, said Trejo. Bregman is an attorney based in Albuquerque. 

More to come at www.drf.com  

UPDATE - FULL REPORT