Early Indications For Strong Summer Season at Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS (May 19, 2011) – On the heels of 195 aspiring juveniles racing in the first schooling races at Ruidoso Downs last week and record-setting purses forecast for this summer’s major races, the first indications are for another strong summer season at Ruidoso Downs that starts on May 27.

Also new this summer is the racing schedule. For the first time, racing will be offered on a Friday through Monday schedule. The exception is that the All American Futurity trials will be held on Thursday, August 18.

The numbers are pointing at an upward trend, especially with the iconic All American Futurity. This year’s 440-yard running on Labor Day will have an all-time record purse of an estimated $2.4 million. It will be the all-time richest race in quarter horse racing history and the purse exceeds the $2 million purse of the Kentucky Derby for thoroughbreds.

Through the latest payment, there are 628 juveniles still eligible for the Labor Day classic. This is up more than 23 percent from a year ago when 525 hopefuls were eligible to the race that was won by the narrowest of margins by longshot Mr Piloto. There were 197 entrants in the 20 All American Futurity trials held last August.

The Rainbow Futurity, the second leg of the All American Triple Crown, will be capped at $700,000 this summer. This is up from the $625,000 purse last summer.

It’s not just futurities on a record-setting pace. The Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby could surpass the record purse of $569,000 set last year when the race was won by champion Double Down Special. A year ago there were 53 entrants in the Ruidoso Derby trials and there are 80 aspirants currently eligible to enter the trials held on May 28, the second day of the summer season.

The Rainbow Derby set a record with a $873,441 purse when it was won by Swingin Daddyo last summer and could reach that record level this summer.

New Mexico-bred futurities are also showing double digit increases with the Mountain Top Futurity showing an increase of 20 horses eligible and the Zia Futurity is 25 eligible horses ahead of last year’s comparable figures.