All American Futurity purse boosted to $3 million

The purse of the All American Futurity for Quarter Horses will be a record $3 million when the storied race for 2-year-olds is renewed on Labor Day, Ruidoso Downs announced Wednesday. Last year, the 440-yard race was worth $2.6 million.

The estimated $3 million purse is the largest for any 2-year-old race, including Thoroughbred races, according to the release issued by Ruidoso. The winner of the All American will earn 50 percent of the purse.

“This is very special and exciting during a time of decreasing foal crops and a general downward business trend nationwide,” said Shaun Hubbard, general manager of Ruidoso Downs.

The All American Futurity had its inaugural running in 1959 with a then-record Quarter Horse purse of $129,686. In 1978, it became the first horse race to offer a $1 million purse.

Trials for the All American Futurity are expected to be held over two days in August. The maximum gate for the race is 10. The All American is also the final leg of the All American Triple, which includes the $750,000 Ruidoso Futurity in June and the $1 million Rainbow Futurity in July. A horse who can sweep all three futurities earns a $4 million bonus.