The spring and summer race meet at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino has been canceled and will be relocated to Albuquerque Downs due to flash flooding damage in the Ruidoso area.
Izzy Trejo, executive director of racing for the state of New Mexico, confirmed that the races will be moved to Albuquerque.
Last month, two wildfires in Ruidoso forced the evacuation of the forest mountain village and most horsemen relocated for about a week.
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Heavy rains and flooding followed, causing damage to the track. Thoroughbred racing was the most affected as the back side of the track was not usable for several days, The quarter horse part of the track was less affected and they were able to race.
On Saturday, the town flooded again and more damage was done to the track, including damage to the jockeys room and infield area. Some horses were moved to higher ground because of the flooding.
Trejo said racing could begin as early as Friday and the hope is to run the Rainbow Oaks and Rainbow Derby, two major quarter horse races for 3-year-old horses.
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“Albuquerque Downs is the most ready of the other tracks to have racing right now,” Trejo said. “We’re in the process of getting things set up with staffing.”
Other tracks in New Mexico include Zia Park in Hobbs, SunRay Park in Farmington and Sunland Park near El Paso.
As with any racing meet, the track will need stewards, gate workers and other track personnel.
What Ruidoso GM has to say
“The safety of our customers, employees and animals are most important,” Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino Downs General Manager Rick Baugh said. “Ruidoso Downs will take the necessary steps over the course of the offseason to make the necessary repairs. We look forward to our visitors coming back in 2025. There are plenty of moving parts to this decision. We intend to reschedule the Rainbow Derby and Rainbow Oaks along with the New Mexico-bred races that were missed this weekend, and the triple crown trial races will go on as scheduled. We are left with little choice based on the current condition of our track, bridges and barn area.”
All American races affected
The All American Derby and All American Futurity are the two biggest races left on the calender this summer and are always run on Labor Day weekend.
The All American Futurity is the most famous quarter horse race, is worth $3 million and is for 2-year-olds. The All American Derby is for 3-year-olds
The qualifying trials for Futurity are scheduled for Aug. 9-10 and the All American Derby trials are scheduled for Aug. 11.
Racing initially was canceled Saturday, Sunday
Due to more flash flooding from the rain in Ruidoso, horse racing was canceled for Sunday, July 21, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino.
The rains began Saturday and the final five races of Saturday’s card was canceled. There were 12 races scheduled to take place on Sunday.
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The two biggest races affected were the Rainbow Derby and Rainbow Oaks foe 3-year-old quarter horses. Trials for the two races were affected by the flooding earlier this summer and pushed the finals back to this weekend.
Several people rescued from Ruidoso floods
Saturday’s flooding in Ruidoso was intense enough that the New Mexico National Guard was called and rescued and evacuated 12 people and two dogs.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com @Fchavezeptimes on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Horse racing in Ruidoso Downs canceled, moved to Albuquerque
