Staff Reports

All American Futurity to be run Sept. 1 at Albuquerque Downs

Ruidoso Downs Racetrack will run the 2025 All American Futurity, Derby and Oaks at Albuquerque Downs on Labor Day again this year, track owner Johnny Trotter announced Thursday.

“Under our current circumstances we are grateful to Albuquerque Downs owner Paul Blanchard that he has graciously offered to host the All American again,” Trotter said. “The recent events are unfortunate for everyone associated with Ruidoso Downs, but we are happy to announce that our signature race will have the opportunity to move forward this year.”

This marks the second straight year that the All American races have been moved from their home at Ruidoso Downs. The racetrack and property suffered significant damage from the flooding event that occurred on July 8 which made the current racing season impossible to continue.

Crews at Ruidoso Downs have began cleaning up the massive mud and debris caused by Tuesday’s flooding event. The infield at Ruidoso Downs sustained more 10 ten feet of water at the height of the flash flood destroying the jockey’s quarters, scoreboard, timing mechanisms and other necessary equipment needed to operate horse racing.

Flooding in the barn area contributed to the death of one racehorse, according to Ruidoso Downs General Manager Rick Baugh.

“That’s one horse out of 1,800 that were back there,” Baugh said. “Every other horse is accounted for. None are missing.”

The Rainbow Futurity, Oaks, Derby, Invitational, and Juvenile were scheduled to be run this weekend, while the Zia Futurity and Derby were set to be run July 19-20. Trotter said all purses for those races will now be equally distributed among all the qualifiers.

While remaining Ruidoso Downs schedule will be run in Albuquerque for the second year in a row, Trotter reported he is determined to bring horse racing back to Ruidoso Downs.

“After having met with Governor Michelle Luhan Grisham today, we remain confident that there we will be horse racing again at Ruidoso Downs in 2026,” Trotter said. “We have been assured that corrective measures will be taken by the state of New Mexico to improve flood control. However, we did need to make an immediate decision about this year’s All American on behalf of our horse owners and trainers and that’s what we are announcing today.”

Trials for the $1 million All American Futurity for two-year-olds at 440-yards will be held August 4 and 5. Trials for the American Derby and All American Oaks for three-year-olds at 440-yards will be Aug. 6. The fastest times in those trial races will advance to the finals on Labor Day, Sept. 1, at Albuquerque Downs.

Along with a full race card, there will be five stakes races on Labor Day, including the All American Futurity, All American Derby, All American Oaks, All American Invitational and All American Juvenile.

Meanwhile, Ruidoso Downs will continue to host the two major horse sales including the New Mexico Breed Sale on Aug. 8 and 9, and the All American Select Sale Aug. 29 and 30 at the Ruidoso Downs Sales Pavilion.

The Casey Donahue concert scheduled for July 26 will continue at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack as scheduled. The annual Ruidoso Downs Hall of Fame Banquet will be held in the Turf Club at Ruidoso Downs on Aug. 7th. Other events that were on the racing calendar for the Ruidoso Downs racing season are to be determined.

The latest information about Ruidoso Downs Racetrack including racing and events can be found at www.raceruidoso.com.