First weekend of Ruidoso Downs races in Albuquerque wraps up

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – This weekend was the first to come of horse races in Albuquerque following the devastating Salt and South Fork fires, as well as major flooding, in Lincoln County.

“It came together as quick as we could,” said Racing for the Downs at Albuquerque President Don Cook.

Ruidoso Downs officials are optimistic about future races for weekends to come.

“We know it was a good day, so things have been going really, really good, and we’re just excited and glad to be here,” said Ruidoso Downs Racetrack General Manager Rick Baugh.

For a little more than a month, Ruidoso Downs racing season will be happening at the Downs at Albuquerque. Baugh said a lot of work went into making sure the races would continue.

“When you go to moving racehorses around, you have to really know what you’re doing,” Baugh explained. “Our trainers are experts, and you got to take care of the safety of the equine athlete first, and that was a really big concern of ours. You can’t push them too fast, too hard, but I haven’t heard of anyone having any troubles.”

Ruidoso Downs races will continue until Labor Day, capping off with the All-American Futurity, with a $3 million purse.

“It’s exciting for us to host it, and we expect a huge crowd that day,” Cook added. “People in Albuquerque will get to see world-class jockeys and world-class horses, so we’re very excited about it.”

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