Flash flooding from the recent burn scars damaged the racetrack Saturday afternoon during trials for the $1 million Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino.
Residents near the Rio Ruidoso were told to evacuate to higher ground at about 4 p.m. Saturday, June 29, as dark waters rushed down, turning streets into raging rivers, showed video by the Village of Ruidoso shared on social media.
Several roads remain closed and an evacuation order for Upper Canyon was still in place on Sunday morning, the Village of Ruidoso said on X. A shelter was set up at White Mountain Relief Center at the White Mountain Sports Complex, 687 Hull Road.
The damage to the racetrack. occurred from debris that was carried down the Rio Ruidoso into the Ruidoso Downs community from flooding in midtown Ruidoso and other areas. Track officials are clearing mud and debris from the river that runs underneath the turn that leads into the backstretch.
All but two of the trials were completed before the flooding occurred on the racetrack. According to the nomination rules for the Rainbow Futurity, horses that were entered in the two cancelled races will receive a refund on their entry fees and will remain eligible for the Rainbow Derby as 3-year-olds.
"Our track crew is working to protect the integrity of the track," General Manager Rick Baugh said. "That is our priority right now. Every effort will be made to conduct racing on Sunday for the Rainbow Derby trials."
Rainbow Oaks, Rainbow Derby trials postponed for 2nd time
Due to continued flash flooding from the burn scar areas in the Ruidoso area, Ruidoso Downs has canceled racing on Monday that was going to be used as a make-day for the Rainbow Derby and Rainbow Oaks trials.
“Our track crew has done an outstanding job in saving the base of the race track since the flooding began,” Baugh said. “The town experienced additional flooding today which also came down the river and made the track repairs more difficult. We will continue to work on the track and prepare for racing next weekend.”
As to what the future holds for the 2024 Rainbow Derby trials, Baugh said a decision will be made as quickly as possible about when or if the trials will eventually be held.
“We need to discuss the future of this year’s Rainbow Derby trials with members of the New Mexico Racing Commission and listen to our horsemen that are involved,” Baugh added. “We will keep everyone apprised about a final decision about the Rainbow Derby trials as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile, the track crew will continue to repair the racetrack around the turn in hopes that regular racing continues this Thursday, July 4. That is the next scheduled racing program with eleven races scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
Due to the damage from Saturday's flooding, Sunday's Rainbow Oaks and Rainbow Derby trials were scheduled to begin at12:30 p.m. on Monday.
Rainbow Futurity qualifiers
Favorite Fire V, a two-year-old filly in just her second career start, broke on top and held on by a neck to win the eighth trial race Friday and qualify for the $1 million Rainbow Futurity.
“She’s such a small filly that I was concerned she might get caught,” jockey Francisco Calderon said. “She left running and really kept her head down and did a nice job.”
The filly ran the 400-yards in 19.480 seconds just in front of Ohana Spirit who also qualified for the final to be run on Sunday, July 14. The other quarter horses to qualify include Aguilla Rapida, Little Vaquero and Space Cowwboyy, all winners in their respective trial races.
More: Horse Racing News Rainbow Futurity Trials at Ruidoso Downs race track returns after wildfires
Favorite Fire V is owned by Sammy Valeriano and trained by Heath Taylor.
Fdd Dreams and jockey Luis Martinez was the top qualifying horse on Saturday winning the seventh trial race in a time of 19.356 seconds for 400-yards. Other horses that qualified include Hezgotthelook Z, Candy Going Viral, Just Dulce and Highly Regarded V. The finals for the Rainbow Futurity will be held on Sunday, July 14.
Hezgotthelook Z won the Ruidoso Futurity earlier in June and still has hopes of winning a Triple Crown.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Flash flooding cause damages, delays horse races at Ruidoso Race Track and Casino
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