The recently sworn New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham sacked the state’s five member New Mexico Racing Commission, giving it the task that had flummoxed its predecessors: approving a sixth and final racino license.
The state is limited by its tribal state gaming compacts to six racinos.
Two of the five new members actually served on the commission previously: David “Hossie” Sanchez and Beverly Bourguet. Sanchez is breeder of quarter horses and thoroughbreds. Bourget breeds and races quarter horses.
The other appointees include John Buffington, former chief operating officer of the San Juan Regional Medical Center and a longtime owner and breeder of race horses; Freda McSwane, a Republican, an attorney and owner and breeder of racehorses and Billy G. Smith, a Republican, owner of a construction company and active in the racing industry.
The governor issued a statement that declared, “Fair and equitable regulation is my expectation for this commission,” adding, “These five individuals are experienced and knowledgeable, and I have every confidence they will ably regulate and promote the continued development of this industry.”
The law requires that at least three members of the commission be racehorse breeders and no more than three can come from the same political party.
Last December the panel voted to issue a sixth license but was unable to decide between five bidders for the license. Three proposed racinos in Clovis and two in Tucumcari and Lordsburg.
The process was complicated when Hidalgo Downs, which proposes a facility in Lordsburg, sued to block the panel from making a decision because it objected to a report the commission was using that painted it in bad light. The study concluded that while a sixth racino might bring in more revenue, it would take a lot of it from existing racinos.
Eventually the commission reached a settlement with Hidalgo Downs—although not yet approved by a judge— but as of its last meeting had failed to take any further action to award a license. It had scheduled a meeting on April 30 when the axe fell.
Some applicants say they worry the governor’s action may press the reset button and require starting the process all over again.
