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Read Full BioPaul Blanchard, President of SunRay Park & Casino, announced plans to move the racing and casino operation to Clovis in Curry County.
The San Juan County Commission will meet next week on November 10 in Aztec to review the plans. Blanchard stated that a decline in the local economy and the expansion of tribal casinos have resulted in unsustainable revenue losses.
Writing in an email to Tri-City Record, he stated, “A thorough evaluation of the current status of SunRay Park and Casino was conducted before considering any future plans.
“In addition to the impact caused by the decline of energy-related businesses in the Farmington community, the expansion of tribal casinos in the surrounding area has resulted in an approximate 55% reduction in casino revenues, as well as a decrease in patron attendance at both the casino and the racetrack.”
Expansion Plan for SunRay Park Scrapped
Mike Stark, San Juan County manager, said plans were underway to expand the facility’s use. Proposed additions included recreational areas for a miniature golf course, outdoor markets, a performance stage, and open space for events such as motocross races, monster truck shows, and rodeos.
Stark stated, “The racing season is not a huge part of the calendar year at SunRay, so if we could find ways to bring other forms of recreation, economic opportunities for SunRay, we have concepts that show multiple ways to make the facility more viable on a year-round basis.”
Blanchard, however, believes facility improvements would not be enough to turn the revenue losses around. In addition to the threats from tribal casinos, he said a decline in visitors to races has had a significant impact.
He said, “San Juan County has been an excellent landlord for SunRay Park and Casino. However, the decline in gaming revenues, race purses, gaming days, patron visits and simulcast betting has been substantial – far beyond what could be resolved through a rent reduction or facility improvements.”
Tribes: We’re Losing Out to Prediction Markets
Expanded tribal casinos have taken players away from SunRay Park. The Northern Edge Navajo Casino opened in 2012, just minutes from the venue.
Blanchard added that having to pay substantially more taxes than the tribes has added to the racino’s difficulties. He said, “New Mexico racetrack casinos pay a substantially higher gaming tax than tribal casinos and are also required to contribute 20% of total revenues to horse purses.”
However, New Mexico’s tribes argue that they are also losing out on essential revenue to prediction markets that have expanded into sports. As a result, they called for an expansion of online gaming to further expand tribal revenue.
Mescalero Apache Reservation Vice President Duane Duffy said prediction market platforms are threatening tribal sovereignty by offering sports markets. Duffy called for lawmakers to address the issue by allowing online tribal sports betting.
While tribes may be losing out to online prediction markets, it is the tribal casinos that are driving down revenue at SunRay Park, according to Blanchard.
Racing Commission Supports Move
Blanchard disclosed his plans to move the racino to the New Mexico Racing Commission (NMRC), which regulates horse racing statewide. Ismael Trejo, executive director of the Commission, sees the proposed relocation as a positive step for the industry.
“According to the analysis that we’ve seen, we feel that the Clovis location will outdo the Farmington location, and there’s no competition in Clovis,” Trejo said. “There are no tribal lands or tribal casinos around there, so there is potentially room for growth and sustainability.”
If the move goes through, horse racing is expected to begin at the new track in spring 2027. The proposal is currently in the public comment phase. Residents and industry stakeholders have 45 days to submit feedback to the NMRC.
Once the comment period ends, the commission will review all input and issue a final ruling on whether to approve the license transfer.
