Page 12 - New Mexico Horse Breeder Spring 2018

THE NEWS
Ruidoso Downs Meet Opens May 25
Historic Ruidoso Downs Racetrack will open its first new season under its new owner- ship team on Friday, May 25.
Last fall, R.D. Hubbard, Ruidoso Downs’ owner since 1988, sold the track, its Billy The Kid Casino, and the Ruidoso Horse Sales Company to a four-man ownership group consisting of Stan Sigman, John Andreini, Narciso “Chicho” Flores, and Johnny Trotter, all of whom are racehorse owners and breeders with extensive business experience in and out of the horse racing industry. The sale closed on October 12, 2017.
The new ownership group, All American Ruidoso Downs LLC, named Jeff True
as general manager. According to a state- ment released by AARD shortly after the
sale closed, ensuring the integrity of racing
at Ruidoso Downs is the group’s top prior- ity, and creating a level playing field for all horses and horsemen will remain a continu- ous mission. This includes, but is not limited to, state-of-the-art testing for illegal sub- stances (both in and out of competition), and enhanced security measures designed to deter and defend against cheating.
“Our goal is to make Ruidoso Downs a model for the horse racing industry,” True said. “It is imperative that Ruidoso Downs raise our standards of racing beyond reproach. If some- one wants to break the rules, Ruidoso is not for them. We will use every resource in our control to execute this continuous effort.”
Further improvements planned for Ruidoso Downs include a renovation of its Billy The Kid Casino, including new gaming machines
and decor. Basic infrastructure improve- ments in the barn area and grandstand are also planned, as are additional special events including an opening weekend T-shirt give- away and drawing for a car, a Mexican Fiesta (June 22-24), Military Appreciation Weekend (June 29-July 1), Fan Appreciation Weekend (Aug. 24-26), and Family Days featuring the popular “Bouncy Horse” races on June 17, July 15, and Aug. 26.
For horsemen, Ruidoso Downs will be increasing its trial purses from $4,000 to $8,000 per race. The trial purse increase will be funded from nomination accounts.
In addition, Ruidoso Downs will offer a new $1-million All American Triple Crown Derby Bonus to the connections of any 3 year old who can sweep the track’s three Grade 1 derbies: the 400-yard, $750,000-est. Ruidoso Derby, the 440-yard, $750,000-est. Rainbow Derby, and 440-yard, $1-million-est. All American Derby.
Ruidoso’s All American Triple Crown Futurity Bonus will pay a $2-million bonus
to the connections of any 2 year old who can sweep the track’s three Grade 1 futurities: the 350-yard, $1-million-est. Ruidoso Futurity, the 400-yard, $1-million-est. Rainbow Futurity, and the 440-yard, $3-million-est. All American Futurity on closing day, Sept. 3. The All American Futurity is Quarter Horse rac- ing’s richest and most prestigious race and has been run at Ruidoso Downs every year since 1959, when Hugh Huntley’s Galobar earned the winner’s share of a $129,686 purse.
“The new Triple Crown bonus program
provides another incentive for all 2- and 3-year-olds to join the best horses at Ruidoso Downs every summer,” True said. “The derby bonus is an effort to keep 3-year-olds pointing at the lucrative purses in these iconic stakes.”
Ruidoso Downs’ annual Zia Festival weekend, showcasing New Mexico-based products and several stakes for state-bred Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, will take place from July 27-29.
For the most part, Ruidoso Downs will offer live racing on a Friday-through-Sunday schedule. However, there will be live Monday holiday racing offered on Memorial Day, May 28, and Labor Day, September 3. First post time every day will be 1 p.m. (MDT), but that post time could change on days when trials are contested.
For more information on the Ruidoso Downs meet, visit the track’s website at www. raceruidoso.com.
SunRay Park Releases $660,000 Stakes Schedule for
2018 Season
SunRay Park has released its $660,000 stakes schedule for its 33-day Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse meet, which opens April 21.
Located near Farmington, New Mexico, in the state’s Four Corners region, SunRay Park will offer a total of 16 stakes, nine
for Thoroughbreds and seven for Quarter Horses. The track’s Thoroughbred stakes schedule will be topped by the 1 1/8-mile, $45,000 San Juan County Commissioners Handicap for 3-year-olds and older on closing day, June 17.
SunRay’s Thoroughbred stakes schedule will offer $305,000 in purses. Four of
the track’s Thoroughbred stakes will be
restricted to New Mexico-breds, starting with the 1-mile, $40,000 Jack Cole Handicap (R) for 3-year-olds and older on May 7.
The 350-yard, $110,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Futurity (RG3) for state-
bred 2-year-olds will top SunRay Park’s $355,000 Quarter Horse stakes slate. Trials for the race will be held on April 27 and be followed by the final on May 13.
Other prominent Quarter Horse stakes on the SunRay schedule include the 350- yard, $80,000-est. Four Corners Futurity on June 17.
For the first time this season, any Thoroughbred overnight race with eight or
more starters will have its purse increased by 20 percent.
“We think this move will help us increase our average field sizes for
our Thoroughbred races,” said SunRay Park director of racing Lonnie
Barber. “Racing fans and handicappers have shown that they like large, competitive fields.”
SunRay Park will offer live racing primarily on a Friday-through-Monday schedule; however, there will be no
live racing on Monday, June 11. First post times will be 1:15 p.m. (MDT) on Saturdays and Sundays, and 3 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays.
10 New Mexico Horse Breeder