PORTALES, N.M. - Authorities have moved to shut down an illicit horse racetrack about five miles east of here.
Several government agencies converged on the home of the racetrack's owners, Carlos and Jacinta Bordayo, earlier this week.
They warned the couple about hosting races and charging an entry fee without a business license. A New Mexico Livestock Board inspector also gave guardians of all six horses until Christmas to come up with ownership and health documentation, and the state Environment Department shut down food concession stands.
Authorities launched an investigation into the racetrack after a feud at an Aug. 24 race ended with gunfire that left one man critically wounded.
Roosevelt County Sheriff Tom Gossett said he believes illegal gambling has occurred during the races, which are run twice a month. He also noted that police have made several drunken driving arrests in the area.
Jacinta Bordayo, speaking through a translator, said some people do make bets among themselves. But she said called races a Mexican tradition and said they provide entertainment in a community without many attractions.
Bordayo said the track's business license expired in September when she inherited the track from her father-in-law. She said the races have been going on for about two years.
http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/122003/new_nmmove.shtml
Several government agencies converged on the home of the racetrack's owners, Carlos and Jacinta Bordayo, earlier this week.
They warned the couple about hosting races and charging an entry fee without a business license. A New Mexico Livestock Board inspector also gave guardians of all six horses until Christmas to come up with ownership and health documentation, and the state Environment Department shut down food concession stands.
Authorities launched an investigation into the racetrack after a feud at an Aug. 24 race ended with gunfire that left one man critically wounded.
Roosevelt County Sheriff Tom Gossett said he believes illegal gambling has occurred during the races, which are run twice a month. He also noted that police have made several drunken driving arrests in the area.
Jacinta Bordayo, speaking through a translator, said some people do make bets among themselves. But she said called races a Mexican tradition and said they provide entertainment in a community without many attractions.
Bordayo said the track's business license expired in September when she inherited the track from her father-in-law. She said the races have been going on for about two years.
http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/122003/new_nmmove.shtml
