State reviewing ‘racino’ applications

CLOVIS — New Mexico officials are accepting applications for the state’s sixth racetrack and casino license, and at least two Eastern New Mexico groups are planning to submit proposals.

The groups, one in Clovis and one in Tucumcari, last week stated their intentions to apply for licenses to establish a “racino,” the Eastern New Mexico News reported.

The Laguna Development Corp. said it plans to work with Miller Cos. to form L&M Entertainment and apply for a license to build a racetrack in Clovis.

“There’s a real desire amongst a good percentage of the population that live there for some other types of entertainment, whether it’s horse racing, offtrack betting, restaurants, casino or a lounge of some kind,” said Skip Sayre, the corporation’s chief of sales and marketing.

The Tucumcari/Quay County Economic Development Corp. announced it has a similar vision for a racetrack and casino in Tucumcari. The Quay County Gaming Authority, which has since merged with the economic development group, applied for the racino license in 2008 but lost to the town of Raton. The Raton project eventually collapsed from lack of funds.

“Basically the last eight years, we’ve been hoping that the Racing Commission would make a determination to open this up again,” said Warren Frost, who is representing the Tucumcari plan. “Now that they’ve done that, we’re excited and ready to go.”

Quay County’s vision is for a racetrack and casino on a location by Interstate 40 and Route 66 near the Texas border.

New Mexico Racing Commission Executive Director Izzy Trejo said the decision to solicit new applications came from recent interest from a handful of entities, though he declined to elaborate. A decision is expected by the end of this year.