Ruidoso Downs: All American Derby to be worth $2.8 million this year

The purse for the All American Derby for Quarter Horses is projected to be $2.8 million when it is run Sept. 1 at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, making the 440-yard classic the richest race ever put on for the breed. Last year, the All American Derby was worth $2.2 million when Ochoa won and moved to the top of the all-time earnings list for Quarter Horses.

Ruidoso, which on May 24 opens a mixed meet featuring Quarter Horses, released its stakes schedule on Thursday.

The All American Derby is a Grade 1 for 3-year-olds. Trials for the race will be held on Aug. 16.

Ruidoso is also home to the Grade 1, $2.6 million All American Futurity for 2-year-old Quarter Horses. The race will be run on the closing-day card Sept. 2. Trials for the 440-yard classic will be held on Aug. 15.

The All American Derby and All American Futurity give Ruidoso the distinction of being the lone track in North America with two races worth $2.5 million or more, according to a release from the track.

Other highlights of the stakes schedule include the Rainbow Derby and Rainbow Futurity, a pair of Grade 1 staples which will each be worth $1 million for the first time when they are renewed this coming July.