ALBUQUERQUE, NM—JUNE 25, 2016—Albuquerque Downs drew an opening-night crowd of 3,417, compared to 1,121 on opening day of the 2015 season, which took place on Friday, April 17.

The first night of Albuquerque Downs’ 60-date Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet got underway, as the track offered its first-ever night race card in its long history and the first racing under the lights in New Mexico since the 1980s.

A total of $335,668 was wagered on the 10-race program, 45 percent more than was wagered on the 2015 opener’s nine-race card. On-track handle reached $125,795, which was 107 percent higher than the on-track handle of $60,589 on opening day of 2015. Saturday’s off-track handle was $209,873, compared to $170,957 on opening day last year.

Citizen Geller Breaks Track Record In O.D. McDonald Stakes

Citizen Geller, a homebred 4-year-old Pro Prado gelding owned by Larry and Denise Nichols’ UKUSA Stables of El Paso, Texas, broke Albuquerque Downs’ 7-furlong track record in Saturday’s $60,000 O.D. McDonald Stakes (R) for New Mexico-breds.

Ridden by Alfredo Sigala for trainer Vance Mikkelson of Belen, Citizen Geller covered his 7-furlong trip in 1:20.81, breaking the previous record of 1:20.93 set by Gotta Move in an allowance-optional claiming race on August 8, 2014. The gelding was sent to post at odds of 20-1 and returned a $42 win mutuel.

The Nichols’ named Citizen Geller for Robert Geller, the track announcer at Sunland Park Racetrack in southern New Mexico and Woodbine Racecourse near Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A native of Australia, Geller officially became a U.S. citizen in March 2012.

Citizen Geller has won five of 21 starts, including two stakes, and the $35,400 winner’s share of the O.D. McDonald purse increased his earnings to $172,914.

Not My Note finished second, one length behind Citizen Geller. Atillas Gift, D E Lover, Thermal, Hush’s Storm, Gotta Move, Weather Dodger, Long Stormy Trip, Ivan El Grande, and Proud Zoning completed the order of finish.

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Racing resumes at Albuquerque Downs on Sunday. Post time for the first of 10 races is 1:30 p.m. (MDT), and the live racing program will be followed by a free concert in the grandstand by Grammy-award winning country music artist Rick Trevino.

Albuquerque Downs Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair. For more information, visit www.abqdowns.com and click on the “Racetrack” link at the top of the homepage.