All American Futurity To Set Another Record at $2.6 Million, Rainbow Futurity At $1 Million, Ruidoso Futurity To $750,000

RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico– The Grade 1 All American Futurity, already North America’s richest race for 2-year-old horses of any breed, will set yet another record in 2013 when the total purse money projects to reach $2.6 million, up from $2.4 million in 2011 and 2012.

The winner of the 440-yard Labor Day classic in 2013 will receive an all-time record $1.3 million.

The 2013 running of the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity becomes quarter horse racing’s newest seven-figure race with the purse reaching $1 million from the current $700,000. The 2013 running of the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity will rise to $750,000 from $500,000.

“Ruidoso Downs leads Quarter Horse racing with record-setting purses,” said Ruidoso Downs chairman R.D. Hubbard.

“The All American Futurity sets an all-time record this Labor Day with the $2.4 million purse and the $2.6 million purse in 2013 continues to raise the standard.

“It is the iconic race in quarter horse racing and combined with the Rainbow and Ruidoso futurities make for the most compelling series of races in quarter horse racing.”

The total purses for the 2013 running of the All American, Rainbow and Ruidoso futurities – the All American Triple Crown – will reach $4,350,000 which surpasses the purses of this year’s thoroughbred triple crown which is comprised of the Kentucky Derby ($2 million), Preakness Stakes ($1 million) or Belmont Stakes ($1 million).

The 2014 runnings of the All American Derby, Rainbow Derby and Ruidoso Derby will maintain the strength they have built over recent years. The Grade 1 All American Derby projects to have a $1.3-million purse, the Grade 1 Rainbow Derby is estimated at $700,000 while the Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby projects to have a $650,000 purse.

The All American Futurity will establish a new record winner’s share of $1.2 million this year and that will be eclipsed by the $1.3 million earned by the winner in 2013. If a horse wins all three of the futurities then that horse will earn $2,175,000 in purse money, plus take the $4-million All American Triple Crown bonus. The purse money and the bonus money combine for a total of $6,175,000, easily making the winning horse the all-time leading money-earning quarter horse.

The all-time leading money earning quarter horse is 2008 All American Futurity winner Stolis Winner at $2,196,291. Nine of the top-10 all-time leading money-earning Quarter Horses are All American Futurity winners.

“Ruidoso Downs always attracts the premier quarter horses and these purse increases reflect our dedication even in these difficult economic times,” said Hubbard. “We are able to increase these purses because of the continuing support that horsemen show in Ruidoso Downs and our futurity and derby program. We are very thankful for their support.”

Hubbard said Ruidoso Downs is off a good start to its summer season, with attendance and the overall handle both running about 12 percent higher. That’s good news for a community that was hit hard by Mother Nature during the winter and early summer months.

One of the coldest winters in New Mexico history caused extensive damage to facilities throughout the Ruidoso valley.

``We’ve had a very, very tough winter. The whole city got frozen out and every pipe in this place (track) was busted,’’ Hubbard said.’’

Hubbard said the track spent upwards of $200,000 to repair damage done by the big freeze. That was in addition to the $70,000-$80,000 spent on improvements to the racetrack facility.

Ruidoso Downs has consistently lost money in recent years and Hubbard said despite the increase in attendance and handle, the track will again finish in the red.

``If it hadn’t been for the additional expenses, we would have been in better shape this year, but we’re going to have another tough year,’’ Hubbard said.

In recent months, the also track survived a massive forest fire that burned to within yards of the track and stable areas.
Hubbard said the track is working with the U.S. Forest Service to erect flood and runoff control measures to deal with the anticipated runoff once the rainstorms that are part of the area’s monsoon season begin.