Page 12 - Speedhorse October 2018

Got Good News to Share?
Do you have a positive story that you’d like to share?
Send photos and news items to jennifer_k_hancock@hotmail.com.
Jennifer K. hancock
by Jennifer K. Hancock
A SucceSSful firSt SeASon
On Labor Day, Ruidoso Downs wrapped up its first season of racing at the track under the new owner- ship of All American Ruidoso Downs, LLC (AARD).
“Our first season was gratifying to the extent we made some policy choices and some investments that fans and horsemen responded to favorably,” said Jeff True, president and general manager.
Total handle for the 2018 summer meeting, which consisted of 47 days compared to 52 days in 2017, was $26.4 million versus $24 million, an increase of 9.9 percent. On track handle improved 4 percent to $10.2 million; total out of state handle on Ruidoso racing was up 23.6 percent to $12.3 million. Daily average handle was up 25 percent to $499,981 per day. The casino experienced an 8 percent increase in coin-in versus the same period last year.
Purses were increased 10 percent in the second week of the meeting, and $90,000 in added stakes and overnight races were added during the last several weeks of the meeting due to increased purse revenues.
The two horse sales conducted at Ruidoso, the New Mexico Bred Sale and the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, also saw significant increases in average and total sales. The New Mexico Bred Sale improved the total average of horses sold by 34 percent. The Select Sale average on horses sold was $46,580, up 8.7 percent.
The co-meet leaders for Quarter Horse Racing were owners Valeriano Racing Sables and Melvin Neugebauer, each with six wins. Ricky Ramirez led all jockeys with 38 wins. Trainers Blane Wood and Wes Giles shared the training title with 32 wins each.
Next year, the track will begin earlier and add some more racing days. The 2019 meet begins May 10 and will offer 54 racing days over a 17-week season. Ruidoso Downs will offer live racing on Memorial Day and Labor Day Mondays, as well as live racing on Thursday, July 4.
HAndle increASeS At new Mexico StAte fAir
Albuquerque Downs registered a 24-percent increase in total wagering handle during the 11-day New Mexico State Fair portion of its 2018 Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse race meet.
According to figures reported to Equibase, a total of $3,010,221 was wagered on The Downs’ 104 live races from Sept. 6-16, compared to $2,427,891 bet on 103 live races during the 2017 State Fair meet. On-track handle rose 7 percent to $637,030, compared to $595,655 in 2017, and off-track handle increased 24 percent to $2,373,191, compared to $1,832,236 a year ago.
The MONTh IN ReVIeW
Albuquerque jockeys and track representatives visited University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital in August to spread cheer to the patients. Making the visit were (bottom row, left to right) Reyes Gomez, Don French, Victor Escobar, and Gustavo Herrera; (top row, left to right) chaplain Donald Stover, Porfirio Cano, Trey Miller, McKenzie King, Jorge Rocha and Jansen Melancon.
10 SPEEDHORSE, October 2018
TrRrAaCckKk CchHhaAaTTEeRr
Michael Cusortelli