Investor: Raton racino to open on time

ALBUQUERQUE - The investor behind the multi-million dollar Raton racino is confident he’ll have the casino open by the end of May and the racetrack open by the end of the year.

Others have their doubts and want to know what the hold-up has been.

For now, a temporary 10,000 square foot casino is already up in Raton, but it is not open.

Canadian investor Michael Moldenhauer said they’re working hard to start up the casino in May or even earlier.

“We've worked very hard to bring racing back to Raton for six years, we stay full committed to it and we're pleased with our progress,” Moldenhauer told News 13. “I think the results will speak for themselves.”

Moldenhauer defended the project Thursday morning to the New Mexico Racing Commission.

He told the five-member group that construction is going full speed ahead and they are close to getting contracts for simulcasts.

Patrick Bingham, the executive director of the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association, said he does not think the casino and track will be done by deadline because it is mid-March.

“I don't think that the timeline is sufficient to be completed especially in the area of the barns and the race track, they take some planning obviously and they also take a certain amount of execution time,” Bingham explained.

Bingham said if the project is not completed on time, it will be up to the Racing Commission and Gaming Board to determine what to do about it.

During the meeting, Moldenhauer said he plans to discuss race dates during April’s commission meeting.

Raton beat out Tucumcari and Santa Fe for the last racino license in the state.