RUIDOSO DOWNS RACE TRACK TO INCREASE OVERNIGHT PURSES BY 20%

Following a strong opening weekend that showed a 37% increase in mutuel handle from 2019 wagering totals, Ruidoso Downs Race Track is announcing a 20% increase in overnight purses which will begin when the second condition book of the season is released on June 11.

“It was great to see so many racing fans come back to the track and enjoy live racing with us,” said Tim Keithley, Director of Marketing for Ruidoso Downs. “Our attendance over the weekend was consistent with our pre-pandemic numbers, and our mutuel handle was up by nearly $1 million over Memorial Day Weekend in 2019.  We are very excited about the rest of the summer season.”

Racing fans wagered $3.689 million over four days of racing that included 32 trials for the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity, 10 trials for the $700,000 (est.) Rainbow Derby, plus a regular card of Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing on Monday. The same four-day period in 2019 produced a mutuel handle of $2.699 million.

Horsemen will see an increase in overnight purses quickly which will have a positive impact on the racing industry in New Mexico.

“The horsemen are the ones responsible for putting on the entertainment for our fans, and it’s exciting to see them being rewarded with a significant increase in purses immediately after the start of summer racing,” said Keithley.      

An estimated 15,000 racing fans attended the Memorial Day Weekend kick-off to the season. Attendance was largest on Sunday when an estimated 4,700 patrons visited Ruidoso Downs.

Racing continues on Friday with the Mountain Top Futurity trials for New Mexico-bred 2-year-old Quarter Horses. On Saturday, trials will be held for the Mountain Top Derby for 3-year-old Quarter Horses, and Sunday features trials for the Ruidoso Maiden Stakes. Racing continues at Ruidoso Downs every weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day Weekend.

For more information about the upcoming 2021 racing schedule or to reserve your tickets and plan your visit, go to RaceRuidoso.com.