Ruidoso Downs | Track Profile

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Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Ruidoso Downs Race Track is located in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico. The track is host to both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. Many race fans may not be aware, but Ruidoso Downs hosts one of the richest races in America – a quarter horse race for 2-year-olds in September called the All American Futurity (G1). The 440 yard race established a purse of $3 million starting in 2015, and more than 20,000 people now pack into the town for the Labor Day weekend event. The race is the biggest quarter horse race America and fans enjoy a big weekend of racing along with fun and gambling at the Billy the Kid Casino

In 2006, No Secrets Here set a stakes record when he races the 440 yards in 20:88 seconds. Then in 2008, Stolis Winner won the All American Futurity and was named that year’s overall world champion.  

Also on that September weekend, Ruidoso Downs is host to the All American Derby (G1), another 440 yard quarter horse race that carried a purse of more than $1.3 million in 2017. The purse has reached as high as $2.8 million. The $200,000 All American Gold Cup (G1) for quarter horses is also run the same day as the Derby.

Other big money quarter horse stakes on the racing calendar at Ruidoso include the $1.2 million Rainbow Derby Final and $1 million Rainbow Futurity Final, both in July, and the $1 million Ruidoso Derby Final in June. .

Labor Day weekend Thoroughbred races of note include the $200,000 All American Juvenile and the $175,000 Rio Grande Senor Futurity Final and $175,000 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity Final. 

The All American Futurity gained its lofty status through unique financial cooperation between the track and horsemen. Ruidoso Downs contributes “added money” to start the race’s purse, and then horse owners make payments to keep their young horses eligible. In October, 2017, a group of four accomplished horsemen and businessmen finalized the sale and closing of Ruidoso Downs, the Billy the Kid Casino and Ruidoso Horse Sale Company.

Ruidoso Downs racing schedule begins the end of May over Memorial weekend and concludes Labor Day weekend in early September. Simulcast racing is offered during the live racing season and offseason.