SUNLAND PARK, N. M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — Looking for something new to do on the weekends now that the holidays are over? The Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino announced the start of live horse racing.

Friday will be the start of Sunland Park’s 65th live horse racing season.

According to Dustin Dix, the Director of Racing Operations at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, Thursday and Friday are going to be reserved for thoroughbred racing, while Saturdays and Sundays will be for quarter horse racing, except for two Sundays, February 16 will also be all thoroughbreds for the Sunland Derby, and April 6 which will be the last day of the season.

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Dix said that year after year they tend to see the same people at the racetrack, but is hoping this year to see some new faces.

“It’s a great place to bring kids… you don’t have to gamble to have a good time,” Dix said. “We see a lot of generations of grandparents bringing their grandkids.”

Sunland Park Racetrack Announcer Eric Alwan said people should be excited at the quality of racing that they have.

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“The jockeys, the trainers, they all put on such a great show,” Alwan said, adding that “it’s a great place to have fun, bet, enjoy yourself, have a bite to eat, go to the casino.”

The horse racing season will kick off Friday at 12:25 p.m.

The Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino is located at 1200 Futurity Dr.

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