Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham orders Zia Park shutdown

Late last week it was announced that due to new Covid-19 protocols in New Mexico that Zia Park would be shutting its doors for a fortnight. The venue at Hobbs in the state has been conducting a mixed meet with both Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds but this will be put on hold until November 30 when the two-week closure of non-essential businesses is planned to end.

This new order has been put in place by first-term Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham as she looks to reset the state’s Coronavirus issues following a flurry of positive tests in Albuquerque. 

Zia Park itself will remain open for training and stabling but live racing is suspended until the Governor gives it her green light. 

The onsite casino at Zia Park has been closed since the initial Covid-19 outbreak started shutting down the US economy back in March. This is not expected to open at any point in the near future, which is harming the ability of the venue to make money. The track is owned by parent company Penn National Gaming who own or administer several race tracks across the country.

There are five race tracks in New Mexico but Zia Park is the only one currently operating so is therefore the only one affected by this temporary shutdown.