Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino
| Location | Sunland Park, New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Owned by | Stanley E. Fulton |
| Date opened | 1959 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred and quarter horse |
| [ Official website] | |
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino is a racino located in Sunland Park, New Mexico, a suburb in southern New Mexico.
Opened in 1959 as a Thoroughbred racing track, Sunland Park was the only legalized gambling venue in the region for many years. In 1999, at a time when horse racing was experiencing a decline as casinos and lotteries became commonplace, New Mexico legislators allowed slot machines at the track. Now with over 700 machines in play, racing at Sunland has benefited greatly, with purses increasing from a $35,000 daily average in the early 1990s to nearly a quarter million per day today.
Sunland Park was the track where jockeys Jerry Bailey, Pat Valenzuela, and Cash Asmussen got their starts. Bill Shoemaker, who hails from the area, also rode at Sunland.
The casino, open 112 hours a week, also offers many electronic table games including roulette, blackjack and Texas Hold 'Em.