By admin 
Gary Hartunian, the California businessman and horse owner who is operating Turf Paradise through a lease agreement with the Arizona track’s owner, was suspended Sept. 17 by stewards in New Mexico over an outstanding financial obligation they allege he has to the co-owner of a horse that won at Sunland Park earlier this year.
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According to the ruling, Hartunian owes Austin Evans, the minor son of trainer Justin Evans, a total of $3,467.19, half of the purse money won by Roki in a $5,000 claiming race at Sunland March 30.
Roki, a 3-year-old California-bred by Sir Prancealot, began his career Jan. 15 at Turf Paradise, racing in the name of Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch and trained by Justin Evans. After finishing 10th in his debut, Roki surfaced at Sunland Park March 2, where he won a maiden special weight race while racing for Rockingham Ranch and Austin Evans. He ran again March 15 for the two co-owners in an allowance race, finishing last of six runners.
On March 30, Roki was dropped in for a $5,000 claiming tag and won easily by 4 1/2 lengths and then was claimed. According to the New Mexico Racing Commission ruling, the money owed is from that race.
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The ruling states that all licenses for Hartunian are suspended, effective Sept. 17, pending the satisfaction of payment.
In September 2025, Hartunian reached an agreement with Turf Paradise owner Jerry Simms to lease the Phoenix track and its network of 38 off-track betting facilities for a minimum of two years in the name of his Skyfall 7 LLC. Hartunian is president and CEO of Landmark LA Capital Group, which builds and manages multi-family residential buildings in Southern California. Rockingham Ranch was co-owner of back-to-back Breeders’ Cup winners, 2016-’17 Turf Sprint winner Stormy Liberal and 2017-’18 Sprint winner Roy H.
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This story was originally published September 17, 2026 at 3:58 PM.