New Mexico Racing Commission (NMRC) Chairman Ray Willis announced at the organization’s April 21 meeting that regulators will adopt enhanced out-of-competition drug testing in that state.

“This project will be an aggressive procedure to let the public know that New Mexico racing is going in the right direction and we will start the testing immediately,” Willis said.

The announcement came with resounding support from the management teams of all the New Mexico racetracks, the New Mexico Horsemen’s’ Association, as well as the New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association.

“I commend the aggressive approach taken by the NMRC,” said Fred Hutton, director of racing for Zia Park, in Hobbs, New Mexico