TUCUMCARI,N.M. -- Raton-based La Mesa Racetrack and Casino license was revoked on May 4th by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board. The Board said the developer for La Mesa had missed a deadline to operate a temporary casino.

Last week that group hoping to open a $50 million racetrack and casino filed an appeal of the New Mexico Gaming Control Board's decision to revoke its gambling license.

The city of Tucumcari had filed for that same license back in 2008, but the racing commission gave the final license to Raton instead.

The Quay County Sun reports that Tucumcari officials are hopeful to take advantage of a second chance at a racino in their city. Officials said the appeal filed with the New Mexico Gaming Control Board is simply a delay by La Mesa Racetrack and Casino.

Warren Frost, executive director of the Quay County Gaming Authority said the Gaming Control board gave Le Mesa's racetrack officials every opportunity over the past 18 months to prove they could meet the agreed upon requirements.

"In that time," Frost said, "La Mesa Racetrack did not meet the requirements."

In its appeal, La Mesa said the license revocation was made without due process. Sam Bregman, La Mesa's attorney, referred to the license revocation as a "knee-jerk decision," and said it was both wrong and unlawful.

Gaming Control Board Deputy Executive Director Greg Saunders said the board reviewed all of the information available to them before making the decision to revoke the license.

"The Gaming Control Board does not make hasty decisions," Saunders said.

La Mesa officials have requested the GCB respond to the appeal with-in 60 days, which Saunders said the board plans to do.

La Mesa officials are scheduled to appear before the New Mexico Racing Commission on June 16 for a disciplinary hearing regarding their racing license.