by Jeff Lowe

Construction soon will begin for a $50-million racetrack and casino in Raton, New Mexico, following a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday.

The full project for La Mesa Racetrack and Casino will take 12 to 18 months, although a temporary casino could open by the end of the year.

Live racing is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2010. The site is near the Colorado border and close to the former La Mesa Park, which operated in Raton from 1946 to 1992.

Last year, the New Mexico Racing Commission awarded the state’s sixth and final racino license to Racing at Raton, a partnership headed by Michael Moldenhauer of Toronto. Paul Micucci, former president of Gulfstream Park, and Eric Culver, the owner of La Mesa Park from 1965 to 1975, have also been involved in the project.

Plans for the facility call for 600 slot machines, a one-mile racetrack with a seven-furlong chute, and a 550-yard Quarter Horse track. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson attended the groundbreaking ceremony, which included a proclamation honoring Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Mine That Bird.

The commission conducted its June meeting in Raton after the ceremony.

Chip Woolley, the trainer of Mine That Bird, is a Raton native, and he started his training career at La Mesa Park. Mark Allen, co-owner of Mine That Bird, also trained at La Mesa and met Woolley there.

Racing at Raton plans to operate a 60-day meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses from May to Labor Day

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer