Commission mum on sixth license

The New Mexico Racing Commission didn’t give any signals about how it leaned regarding a sixth license during its latest meeting Thursday, but a key member of a group wanting to build a racetrack and casino in Tucumcari cautioned it is too early to be critical about inactivity on the matter.

“There was really no discussion about the racetrack, the sixth license,” said Warren Frost, one of the principals at Coronado Partners that wants to build an $80 million racino in Tucumcari. “As far as the commission giving guidance, they didn’t do that. They gave absolutely no indication of where they’re headed.”

The commission’s lack of direction Thursday provided no reason for any of the applicants to be discouraged, Frost said.

“I think we’ll know more later,” he said. “I think it’s a matter of letting them get their feet wet and going from there. They seem to be very enthusiastic about being on the commission, and they’re willing to put forth as much work as they need to get it right.”

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham fired the old racing commission and appointed five new commissioners April 24. Thursday’s session in Albuquerque was the first regular meeting of the new commission.

Frost said he soon would urge the commission to visit the towns where parties have applied for a sixth license, which also include Clovis and Lordsburg. Those visits likely would put Tucumcari in a favorable light, he said.

“It’s my position they, the commission as a whole, needs to come back to Tucumcari and have another meeting where we can show our support,” he said. “I think the best thing that’s going with our application is our community support. I don’t think you can get a real feel for that unless in you’re in that convention center, seeing all those people.”

The commission’s hearing in Tucumcari in October drew more than 1,100 people — more than double the number at any of the hearings in Clovis and Lordsburg.

The commission’s lack of action Thursday on a sixth license didn’t stop two Clovis groups — pro and con — from weighing in about proposed racinos in that eastern New Mexico city.

Commission Executive Director Ismael “Izzy” Trejo confirmed Jack Muse, who is part of a group opposing a casino in Clovis, spoke at the meeting Thursday.

“I was glad to see the ‘con’ guy,” Frost said. Frost long has said any opposition from Clovis residents helps Tucumcari’s case.

Trejo said he couldn’t confirm the identity of the woman speaking in favor of a racino in Clovis but said she was a spokeswoman on behalf of the Vision 2020 Racino for Clovis group.

Frost acknowledged he was unsure why the Clovis parties decided to speak publicly when the odds the commission would make a decision on a sixth license that day were almost nil.

“I guess they’re wanting to get their first licks in with the commissioners,” he said.