New owners behind big changes at Ruidoso

Ruidoso Downs has undergone extensive changes since its new ownership took over in October. Patrons returning for the 47-date meet that opens Friday will find upgrades to the grandstand and its casino, as well as updated wagering technology. There also are expanded racing integrity protocols in place, and a pair of bonuses tied to the meet’s top races for Quarter Horses, led by the $3 million All American Futurity.

The moves have been made by new owners John Andreini, Narciso Flores, Stan Sigman, and Johnny Trotter.

“Since mid-October, we’ve been working toward what’s going to happen on Friday,” said Jeff True, the new president and general manager of Ruidoso.

True said the new owners have strong ties to racing.

“All are extremely successful, self-made guys and all own ranches and breed, race, buy, and sell,” he said. “They love the sport. They bought this place because it is an icon in Quarter Horse racing.

“Ruidoso is 72 years old. It’s as old as the Quarter Horse is.”

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True said “several million dollars” have been spent on Ruidoso since the deal closed in October.

“We’re looking for ways to clean up the game, add to the game, maximize what we have and invest in infrastructure,” said True.

Ruidoso has replaced 100 of the 300 slot machines in its casino with the latest machines to be more competitive with tribal casinos in the same market. The grandstand also has a new roof and a rebuilt paddock. True said there will be ontrack account wagering whereby patrons can sign up for either the day or the meet and use a Ruidoso-issued tablet to make bets from their seats. It’s the first step in a long-term plan to make wagering more convenient for customers of Ruidoso.

The new integrity programs include the use of drug-sniffing dogs to periodically search for illegal substances in the stable area. Ruidoso is working with the K-9 units of the local police department and the sheriff’s office in Lincoln County. Ruidoso also has built a holding barn, so horses heading to the paddock for a race will now first make a stop in this enclosure.

“It increases the time horses will be under surveillance,” True said, noting this protocol is a first for tracks in New Mexico.

The All American Futurity on Sept. 3 is the highlight of the stakes program at Ruidoso. It’s also one of seven Grade 1 races for Quarter Horses at the meet and it serves as the third and final leg of the track’s rich series for 2-year-olds. Trials for the first of the 2-year-old races, the Grade 1, $1 million Ruidoso Futurity, will be run Friday and Saturday.

“We had 40 more horses entered this year,” True said. “We had 300 entered for the Ruidoso trials versus 260 last year.”

The finale is June 10. The other 2-year-old race in the series is the $1 million Rainbow Futurity on July 22. The owners of a horse who sweeps the Ruidoso, Rainbow, and All American futurities will earn a $2 million bonus.

A second bonus, of $1 million, will be for the owners of a 3-year-old who can sweep the $750,000 Ruidoso Derby, $750,000 Rainbow Derby, and $1 million All American Derby.