San Juan County Challenges SunRay Park License Relocation to New Mexico Court

Hundreds of jobs, a regional racing economy, and control over one of New Mexico's racino licenses hang in the balance after San Juan County, the city of Farmington, and Zia Park took their fight over SunRay Park to court, filing a petition that could stall or reverse the Racing Commission's approval of a license move more than 300 miles south.

The petition, a writ of certiorari filed March 25 in the Second Judicial District Court, targets the commission's February decision to approve Western Gaming LLC's application to relocate SunRay Park and Casino's racing and gaming license from Farmington's McGee Park to a proposed site near Clovis in Curry County. The petitioners argue the commission exceeded its statutory authority and denied San Juan County due process by blocking it from intervening as a formal party during the licensing hearing.

County Commission Chair Sam Gonzales framed the legal action as a fight for working families. "We intend to continue to fight for the families of San Juan County by keeping jobs, families and a positive economic impact here," Gonzales said. County officials indicated they will also seek a stay to halt the relocation while the court considers the challenge, effectively keeping operations at McGee Park in place through litigation.

The core legal argument turns on the reach of the New Mexico Horse Racing Act. County attorneys contend the statute empowers the commission to grant, deny, suspend, or revoke licenses but does not explicitly authorize moving an existing racetrack license hundreds of miles to a new site. The petition characterizes the commission's February action as "arbitrary and capricious" and "not supported by substantial evidence."

The Racing Commission built its case for relocation on a sharp revenue slide and an optimistic feasibility outlook. Commission records cited a roughly 60% decline in SunRay's casino revenues between 2011 and 2024, alongside shrinking purse dollars at the Farmington facility. A Marquette Advisors feasibility study projected the Clovis project could generate approximately $109 million in gross gaming revenue by its second year of operation, with the commission noting the site's proximity to Texas border customers and a larger regional population base.

Opponents argue those projected gains come directly at Farmington's expense. County materials estimate hundreds of jobs tied to McGee Park racing operations could be eliminated, along with substantial ancillary economic activity across the region. Zia Park's inclusion as a co-petitioner sharpens the dispute into a commercial standoff over where New Mexico's limited racing license wealth will be concentrated.

The petition asks the court to vacate the commission's order outright or remand the matter for a new administrative hearing with full public testimony and cross-examination rights. If the court grants a stay, relocation stalls. If it does not, Western Gaming LLC could advance development near Clovis while litigation runs its course. A final ruling either validates the commission's authority to drive economic migration of licenses across state geography or forces a fundamental recalibration of how New Mexico regulates its racinos: a precedent with consequences that extend well beyond San Juan County's borders.