Downs at Albuquerque releases stakes schedule

The Downs at Albuquerque has announced its stakes schedule for the meet that opens June 28, and the lineup includes the Bank of America Challenge Championships. The traveling series of major stakes for Quarter Horses will be run Oct. 26. It will be the first time Albuquerque has hosted the races.

Albuquerque will offer 34 stakes during its meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. Purses for those races are worth $3.6 million.

The $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap, at 1 1/8 miles, is Aug. 3. It leads the meet’s 16 stakes for Thoroughbreds, which are worth $1.1 million. The $200,000 New Mexico State Fair Thoroughbred Futurity is Sept. 22. The six-furlong race is for 2-year-olds bred in New Mexico.

There are 18 stakes for Quarter Horses, with those races worth $2.4 million. The $300,000 Albuquerque Fall Championship at 440 yards leads a card of seven stakes Sept. 22.

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