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La Mesa Park facts for kids

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La Mesa Park
Location Raton, New Mexico
Date opened 1946
Date closed 1992
Race type Thoroughbred
Quarter Horse
Course type Dirt
Notable races Land of Enchantment Futurity
Live racing handle $11,967,687 (annual record 1977)
Attendance 4,892 (daily record 1965)

La Mesa Park was a famous place in Raton, New Mexico, where people watched exciting horse races. It was a special track for both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races.

What Was La Mesa Park?

La Mesa Park was a horse racing track. It opened its doors in 1946. This made it the very first horse racing track in the entire state of New Mexico! People would gather to watch fast horses compete.

Types of Horse Races

At La Mesa Park, you could see two main types of horse races:

  • Thoroughbred races: These horses are known for their speed and endurance over longer distances.
  • Quarter Horse races: These horses are super fast over short distances, usually a quarter of a mile.

When Did It Operate?

The park was a popular spot for many years. It opened in 1946 and brought a lot of excitement to Raton. However, after many years of races, La Mesa Park closed down in 1992.

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