The spring and summer horse racing event at the Ruidoso Racetrack and Casino has been canceled and will be relocated to Albuquerque Downs due to damage from flash flooding in the Ruidoso area.
Izzy Trejo, New Mexico state racing executive director, confirmed that the races will be moved to Albuquerque.
Last month, two wildfires in Ruidoso forced the evacuation of the wooded mountain town and most riders had to relocate for about a week.
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Heavy rains and flooding followed, damaging the racetrack. Thoroughbred racing was the hardest hit, as the rear of the track was closed for several days. The Quarter Horse portion of the track was less affected and was able to race there.
On Saturday, the town was flooded again and the racecourse suffered even more damage, including to the jockey’s room and infield. Some horses were moved to higher ground because of the flooding.
Trejo said racing could begin as early as Friday and they hope to host the Rainbow Oaks and the Rainbow Derby, two major Quarter Horse races for three-year-olds.
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“Albuquerque Downs is the best equipped of any racetrack for racing right now,” Trejo said. “We are in the process of getting the staffing ready.”
Other race tracks in New Mexico include Zia Park in Hobbs, SunRay Park in Farmington and Sunland Park near El Paso.
As with any race meeting, stewards, gatekeepers and other track personnel are required at the race track.
What Ruidoso GM has to say
“The safety of our customers, employees and animals is the most important thing,” said Rick Baugh, general manager of Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino Downs. “Ruidoso Downs will take the necessary steps over the course of the offseason to make the necessary repairs. We look forward to welcoming our visitors back in 2025. There are many moving parts to this decision. We intend to reschedule the Rainbow Derby and Rainbow Oaks, as well as the New Mexico-bred horse races that were canceled this weekend, and the Triple Crown trial races will take place as planned. Given the current condition of our race track, bridges and barn area, we have little choice.”
All American breeds affected
The All American Derby and the All American Futurity are the two biggest races left on the summer calendar and always take place on Labor Day weekend.
The All American Futurity is the most famous Quarter Horse race, has a prize of $3 million and is for 2-year-olds. The All American Derby is for 3-year-olds.
The Futurity qualifiers are scheduled for August 9-10 and the All American Derby qualifiers are scheduled for August 11.
The race was initially cancelled for Saturday and Sunday.
Due to additional flash flooding resulting from the rain in Ruidoso, horse racing scheduled for Sunday, July 21, at the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino has been canceled.
On Saturday it started to rain and the last five races on Saturday were cancelled. 12 races were supposed to take place on Sunday.
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The two biggest races affected were the Rainbow Derby and the Rainbow Oaks for three-year-old Quarter Horses. The trials for both races were affected by the flooding earlier this summer and the finals were postponed until this weekend.
Several people rescued from floods in Ruidoso
Flooding in Ruidoso on Saturday was so severe that the New Mexico National Guard was called in to rescue and evacuate 12 people and two dogs.
You can reach Felix F. Chavez at [email protected] @Fchavezeptimes on X.
This article originally appeared in the El Paso Times: Horse racing at Ruidoso Downs canceled, moved to Albuquerque
