Zia Park Reports Record All-Sources Handle
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Concluding its 10th seaon, Zia Park reported record all-sources handle of $536,316 for the 56-day meeting that ended Dec. 2.
The total reflected an increase of 23.2% over the corresponding meet last year, when the Hobbs, N.M., track averaged $435,229.
"We really took a big step forward this season," said Fred Hutton, Zia Park director of racing operations. "The quality of horses that came to Zia Park for our big races—particularly for Land of Enchantment Day—was the best we've ever seen at Zia. We're thrilled that our races received so much attention from horsemen, media, and fans around the country."
The second annual $1.1 million Land of Enchantment Day Nov. 26 included track records by Canadian graded stakes winner Alert Bay in the $200,000 Zia Park Derby at 1 1/16 miles, and by New Mexico-based Isn't He Clever in the $150,000 Zia Park Championship at 1 1/8 miles.
The total handle of $1.28 million on Land of Enchantment Day was the second highest single-day amount in Zia Park's history. Zia Park also reached the $1 million handle mark Oct. 6, marking the first time the meet ever has tallied multiple million-dollar days.
Average handle on-track for the meet was $44,691, a 4.7% increase from last year. Average handle off-track was $491,625, a 25.2% jump.
Jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. set a record for most Thoroughbred victories with 63 while earning his first Thoroughbred riding title at Zia Park. Juarez shined on the biggest stage of the year for New Mexico-breds, capturing four races on the $2 million New Mexico Cup Day Oct. 26.
"This year has been a dream come true—winning four races on New Mexico Cup Day—it's been awesome," Juarez said. "There is nothing compared with this."
Justin Evans captured his third straight Zia Park Thoroughbred training title with 54 victories. Tom and Sandy McKenna's Judge Lanier Racing was the leading Thoroughbred owner with a record-breaking 26 wins.
Zia Park is scheduled to again hold a 56-day meet in 2015 from Sept. 12 to Dec. 15.