Zia Park to Resume Dec. 2 After COVID-19 Suspension
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Photo: Coady Photography
Racing at Zia Park
Zia Park, which suspended operations amid COVID-19 restrictions announced Nov. 13 by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, will resume racing Dec. 2, the track announced.
The Hobbs, N.M., track will also add racing Thursday, Dec. 3, a previously rescheduled race date, and then maintain a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule through its final live program Dec. 23. Starting Wednesday, purses will be increased 30% from their previously advertised amounts, pending approval by the New Mexico Racing Commission.
The Zia Park barn area will remain open until Dec. 31 with the racetrack itself closed for training after the meet's final day.
Along with other businesses deemed nonessential by the state, Zia Park closed to in-person activities in the middle of November. Lujan Grisham said at the time that restrictions were necessary due to unsustainable rates of COVID-19 infections, and hospitals throughout the state approaching or exceeding capacity for bed availability and staffing. She encouraged New Mexico residents to stay home except for trips essential to health, safety, and welfare.
The reopening of Zia Park comes as New Mexico now shifts to a tiered county-by-county COVID-19 risk system, enabling local communities to shed restrictions if public health data in their areas meet certain standards. The per-capita incidence of new COVID-19 cases and average COVID-19 test positivity rates are considerations.
New Mexico state health officials announced 1,684 additional COVID-19 cases on Nov. 30, 65 in Lea County, where Zia Park is located.