| 2011 Stallion Directory Stakes Results Trial Results Auction News Videos Trainers Classifieds Racetrack Trip Locator Subscribe Advertise |
![]() |
|
Worldwide Simulcast Weekend On Tap at Ruidoso Downs RUIDOSO DOWNS (March 25, 2011) ‑ The $10,000,000 Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest race, and the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby, the only graded thoroughbred stakes in New Mexico, are the cornerstones of a much anticipated simulcasting weekend in Billy's Race Book in the Billy the Kid Casino adjacent to Ruidoso Downs Race Track. The Dubai World Cup features four races worth $22,000,000 simulcast from Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday morning at Billy’s Race Book. Mutuel windows on Saturday morning will open at 8:30 a.m. with the first simulcast from Meydan, the $2,000,000 Dubai Golden Shaheen, projects to have a 9:05 a.m. post time. That will be followed by the $5,000,000 Dubai Duty Free, the $5,000,000 Dubai Sheema Classic and then the Dubai World Cup at about 11:35 a.m. The 14 horses starting in the Dubai World Cup have won a remarkable 27 grade/group one races while earning a staggering $40,816,859, the richest field in racing history. The leading earner in the group is Japanese horse of the year Buena Vista, a 5-year-old mare who has bankrolled more than $12 million and is bidding to become the world’s all-time leading earner. If she wins the World Cup, which is worth $6,000,000 to the victor, she will easily surpass T.M. Opera O, who earned $16,200,300. Heading the American contingent is Gio Ponti, a 3-time champion in North America. He has won 11 of 23 starts, including six grade 1 stakes, and earned $5,037,800. On Sunday the premier card of thoroughbred racing in New Mexico is offered. The program at Sunland Park is highlighted by the $800,000 Sunland Park Derby [G3] and the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks. The Sunland Park Derby is the southwest's top Kentucky Derby prep race with the winner virtually guaranteed of the earnings required to enter the Kentucky Derby, run on the first Saturday in May. Astrology makes his 2011 debut in the Sunland Derby for trainer Steve Asmussen after placing in each of his 2010 starts. He won the Iroquois Stakes and was second in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile, each at Churchill Downs. Also in the Sunland Park Derby is Borderland Derby winner Fusa Code and Turf Paradise Derby upset winner Beer Meister. The Sunland Oaks attracted Plum Pretty from the Bob Baffert barn. She raced to third-place finishes in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes Stakes and the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita this winter. Also on Sunday from Sunland Park are the $120,000 La Coneja Stakes, $100,000 Harry Henson Handicap, $100,000 New Mexico Breeders' Derby, $100,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Oaks and the first running of the $45,000 Mark Villa Memorial. Additionally, races from 12 other tracks from throughout North America will be offered this weekend.
|