New Mexico-Bred Horses Take Center Stage This Weekend During the Zia Futurity and Zia Derby Trials

Photo of Vine Master by Jake Rogers, courtesy of Ruidoso Downs.

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – July 7, 2020 – New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses will race 400 yards this weekend for a chance to run in the Grade 1 $375,000 Zia Futurity and the Grade II $175,000 Zia Derby later this summer at Ruidoso Downs. The rest of the weekend race card is full of exciting, maiden, claiming, and allowance races. 

Over 100 New Mexico-bred 2-year-olds will compete in 11 trial heats on Friday, all vying for a spot in the finals of the Zia Futurity on July 26th. Vine Master, winner of the 2020 Mountain Top Juvenile Stakes, and Woodys Gold, a second-place finisher in the 2020 Mountain Top Futurity, are sure to make a strong run for the finals on Friday.

Saturday’s card features five trial heats for 3-year-olds looking to run in the Zia Derby on July 25th. Mister Riptide, the 2019 All American Futurity runner-up and 2019 Zia Futurity winner, is the favorite in the 3rd race on Saturday.

Post time is 1:00 PM MDT on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At this time, the Turf Club and the Jockey Club are limited to 50% capacity due to the Public Health Order from the State of New Mexico. Turf Club tables are currently available online for $50 for a table for four. For more information on how to watch online, place your bet with your favorite online wagering provider, or conduct drive-thru wagering locally, please visit. RaceRuidoso.com