Ruidoso Downs Picks, Entries and Results

Ruidoso Downs Track Details

Address: 26225 US-70, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346

Website: www.raceruidoso.com

Meeting:  Ruidoso hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. It is best known for the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity, the richest race in quarter horse racing traditionally run on Labor Day. It is also the site of the Grade 1, $1 million All American Derby, which is run a day prior to the Futurity. The thoroughbred stakes don’t rival their quarter horse counterparts in purse money, but there are still a few lucrative races on the calendar, including the $150,000 Rio Grande Senor Futurity, the $125,000 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity, and the $150,000 Mountain Top New Mexico-Bred Futurity. Ruidoso’s mixed meet runs from early May to early September and is conducted exclusively on dirt.

History:  Ruidoso Downs Race Track was built in the 1940’s on a flood plain in the small town of Ruidoso Downs, NM. The track began informally, but grew throughout the decade and was purchased by Arizona investor Eugene Hensley in 1953. The track continued to grow under Hensley’s leadership, and the inaugural All American Futurity, now the richest race in quarter horse racing, was run in 1959. By the late 1980’s the track had fallen into disrepair and was purchased by R.D. Hubbard. The new owner and a business partner invested millions into improving the facility and the track rebounded in the ensuing decade, adding a sales pavilion and sports theater.

Facilities: Ruidoso is the only horse track in the United States and Europe that has separate quarter horse straightaway and oval thoroughbred tracks. There is also an adjacent casino just down the road from the track that has over 300 slot machines. Dining options include plenty of concession stands and a few restaurants.