Ruidoso begins meet with three days of Quarter Horse trials

For at least a few weeks, it will be quiet around Ruidoso Downs when the New Mexico track launches its spring-summer meeting Friday.

Similar to other venues around the world, Ruidoso Downs will race without spectators because of the coronavirus outbreak. That could change by the start of summer, according to track general manager Jeff True.

“My sense is we’ll run, most likely, through the middle of June without fans,” True said Tuesday.

True is optimistic that owners could be invited to attend on the weekend of June 6-7 when Ruidoso runs its first major stakes of the year – the Ruidoso Derby at 400 yards on June 6 and the Ruidoso Futurity at 350 yards the following day.

The Friday-through-Sunday programs this week are entirely devoted to time trials for those races. There are 278 2-year-olds entered in trials on Friday and Saturday for the Ruidoso Futurity.

The runners with the top five times each day, regardless of finishing positions, advance to the final. There are 14 races each day.

Sunday, there are 11 trials for the Ruidoso Derby, with the 10 fastest times earning berths in the final. The first Thoroughbred races of the meeting are part of Monday’s 12-race card.

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“We’re in pretty good shape, all things considered,” True said. “Our next plan is to get fans in here.”

Ruidoso will hold the first racing in New Mexico since Sunland Park was closed in late March because of the coronavirus outbreak. The brief meeting at SunRay Park in northeast New Mexico, scheduled for May and early June, was canceled because of the pandemic.

Purses at Ruidoso Downs, and at The Downs at Albuquerque later this summer, received a boost earlier this month when the Sunland Park and SunRay Park meetings were officially canceled by the New Mexico State Racing Commission.

Some purse money that would have been distributed at those tracks will be incorporated into the purse structure at Ruidoso Downs, True said.

“They’ve asked us to run more races,” True said. “That’s why we have 12 races carded on Monday. We’re trying to create a recovery for horsemen here.”

Regaining ontrack business is particularly vital to the success of the meeting, which runs through Labor Day when the $3 million All American Futurity will be contested. Ruidoso earns 50 percent of its handle from ontrack wagers and does not have as significant of a presence in the account-wagering market as other venues, True said.

The track is hosting drive-thru wagering at its sales barn on racetrack property beginning Friday. A small casino on track property could open in coming weeks, True said.

True was encouraged by the recent success smaller Thoroughbred venues such as Fonner Park and Will Rogers Downs had through account wagering in recent months. However, Ruidoso Downs opens at a time when the list of tracks operating in the country has expanded.

“In the broader market, we’re a Triple A team,” True said. “We’re looking for the exposure. We’re asking Thoroughbred players to take a chance on the Quarter Horse races.”

Friday’s 14-race program begins at 2 p.m. Eastern, or noon Mountain. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The most accomplished runner on the card is Dangerous Cartel, second by a nose in the $891,900 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity on April 18. Trained by Clinton Crawford, Dangerous Cartel seeks his first win in his fourth start in the 13th trial.

Earlier on the program, Lady La Belle, purchased for $310,000 at the Ruidoso yearling sale last year, will have her debut in the fourth race.

Saturday, the promising first-time starter Cyber Monday, winner of a 250-yard training race in a quick 13.78 seconds on May 7, is part of the field for the first race.

Jettz, fifth in the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity, starts in the second race.