TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — There will be no horse racing at Lilito Racetrack for the first period of the new year.

The decision was made today by the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

In a letter sent to racing organizations, the county cited delays in auditing as a reason for not approving this year's racing.

Board members said the truck has submitted documents to the accounting firm, but the process is taking a long time.

“The infrastructure to make it happen takes a long time and is very complex. It's like an IRS audit,” Ed Ackerley said.

Now, not only is the audit missing, but it could make racing difficult.

Turf Paradise, a racetrack in Maricopa County, operates a season that conflicts with Lilito's schedule.

“If we race in Phoenix until Thursday, we don’t have time to get down here, move the horses, practice at the track, go through a horse health program and then race on Saturday,” Ackerley said. It's dangerous for rider and horse. ”

Now that the paperwork has been submitted, he said he and the board hope to be able to hold a race at Lilit later this year.

“We are excited about the prospects for the future. We have done much over the past 10 years to keep racing at Rillito alive and to preserve our historic facility, and we look forward to continuing to operate it.” I look forward to continuing to do so,” Ackerley said.