Summary:
- A New Mexico judge ruled the Racing Commission exceeded its authority when it approved SunRay Park’s relocation.
- Western Gaming’s president wants to appeal the decision, saying the Clovis casino opening in September 2027 is still on the table.
- The 2027 racing calendar continues to list SunRay Park in Farmington, with later racing dates uncertain.
Plans to move SunRay Park and Casino from Farmington to Clovis have run into a legal setback after a New Mexico, US, district judge ruled that the state Racing Commission went beyond its authority when it approved the proposed relocation.
District Court Judge Daniel E. Ramczyk ruled in favor of San Juan County commissioners, who challenged the New Mexico Racing Commission’s decision to grant Western Gaming LLC a relocation license.
The county argued that state law does not give the three-member commission the authority to move an existing racing license from one location to another.
The ruling does not appear to have ended Western Gaming’s plans.
SunRay Park President Paul Blanchard said the company intends to appeal the decision. He has previously pointed to a roughly 60% decline in revenue at the Farmington property in recent years as a reason for pursuing the move.
Under Blanchard’s current timeline, the proposed Clovis casino could open by September 2027, followed by live horse racing in spring 2028.
Clovis Mayor Mike Morris has also backed the relocation plan, questioning why a licensed private operator should be prevented from moving from what he described as a struggling location.
The proposed move could also significantly change the racing schedule. SunRay Park’s live racing season has been reduced since 2019, with racing currently spread across 18 days over six weeks. Supporters of the Clovis plan say a larger number of racing days could also lead to substantially higher purses.
Licensing Issue, Still Not Fixed
According to the current New Mexico Racing Commission calendar for 2027, SunRay Park continues to be listed for live racing from April 16 through May 23.
At the same time, Western Gaming’s license with San Juan County is scheduled to expire after that season.
The future of racing dates later in 2027 is also not certain, in the context of Ruidoso Downs not operating at its usual venue following flood damage, and its 2026 season held at Albuquerque Downs.
The venue’s management has also indicated that its signature race series could move to Lone Star Park in Texas.
Plus, the New Mexico Horse Breeders Association’s 2027 calendar lists May 28 through September 6 as racing dates at a location that has not yet been determined or officially announced, leaving open questions regarding the way the state’s racing schedule could change if SunRay Park eventually moves to Clovis.
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