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Ruidoso Downs makes changes to race days

Albuquerque, NM - Feb. 24, 2011 - Ruidoso Downs will race on a Friday through Monday schedule for the 60-day season that starts on May 27.

Previously, Ruidoso Downs raced on a Thursday through Sunday schedule.
This 2011 racing schedule was approved by the New Mexico Racing Commission on Thursday.

The only exception to the schedule will be racing on Thursday, August 18 to accommodate the full-day card of trials to the Grade 1, $2,400,000 (est.) All American Futurity, the world’s richest quarter horse race. There will be no racing on Monday, August 22.

“This is a great boost to Ruidoso Downs’ awareness on a national level,” said general manager Jean Stoddard. “The track will have increased coverage on TVG (the leading national horseracing network) and at simulcast outlets from coast to coast.

“It’s a big win for everybody involved with Ruidoso Downs and New Mexico racing.”

The schedule adjustment means that several trial dates have been moved back one day from their previous runnings. The Rainbow Futurity trials are now on Friday, July 8 and the Rainbow Derby trials will run on Saturday, July 9. The Zia Futurity trials will be held on Friday, July 15 and the Zia Derby trials are set for Saturday, July 16.

The stakes schedule was enhanced with the addition of the Monday programs with the Ruidoso Juvenile Overnight Stakes set for Monday, June 13 and the Rainbow Juvenile Overnight Stakes on Monday, July 25.

The Grade 1 futurity and derby finals are unaffected. The $600,000 (est.) Ruidoso Derby is on June 11, the $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity is on June 12, the $850,000 (est.) Rainbow Derby is on July 23, the $700,000 Rainbow Futurity in on July 24, the $1,200,000 (est.) All American Derby is on September 4 and the $2,400,000 (est.) All American Futurity is on September 5.

The projected All American Futurity purse of $2,400,000 will be the richest purse in quarter horse racing history and the winner’s share of $1,200,000 also is the highest in the history of quarter horse racing.

As in previous years, the Ruidoso Futurity trials highlight the opening day program on Friday, May 27 and the trials to the Ruidoso Derby will be held on Saturday, May 28.