RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM Ruidoso Downs Race Track opens for live quarter horse and thoroughbred racing on Friday, May 26, by conducting trials for the Grade-1 $1 million Ruidoso Futurity, the first leg of quarter horse racing’s Triple Crown, according to a press release.
There will be sixteen races on Friday, May 26, and Saturday, May 27, beginning at noon each day. The top five qualifying times among the two-year-old quarter horses each day will advance to the finals of the Futurity to be held on Sunday, June 11.
Racing continues on Sunday, May 28, with trials for the $850,000 (est.) Ruidoso Derby for three-year-old quarter horses. The top ten times during these trials will advance to the finals of the Derby to be held Saturday, June 10.
There will be thoroughbred and quarter horse races held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, including the first stakes race of the season, the $45,000 John Andreini Memorial Stakes for quarter horses at 350 yards. Post time on Sunday and Monday will be 1 p.m.
This weekend Ruidoso Downs will also unveil two new restaurants located trackside including the 440 Smokehouse & Bar and the Anejo Cantina, the release said. Both were constructed during the off-season and will provide over 700 new seats for racing fans to get an upclose view of the racing action. The Anejo Cantina will be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and will remain open late-night to provide high-energy music and entertainment after the races.
Music and entertainment will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Events Center located across from the grandstand, the release detailed. On Friday evening, Corazon De Mana’ will perform a free concert beginning at 7 p.m.; Saturday evening features West Texas country star Casey Donahew at 7 p.m.; and on Sunday evening Los Huracanes Del Norte will perform at 6 p.m. Tickets to Saturday and Sunday evening’s shows are available at the box office or raceruidoso.com.
Billy the Kid Casino is open every day and will be having “Hot Machine” drawings with chances to win $100 in free play. The drawings are held every 30 minutes between 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. Complete rules are available at the Rewards Club booth inside the casino.
Pricing for seating at Ruidoso Downs for the races vary based on location and venue. For more information visit raceruidoso.com or telephone the box office at 575-378-4140.
