Ruidoso will offer $4M bonus

Ruidoso Downs announced on Thursday a $4 million bonus for the connections of any horse who can win the Ruidoso Futurity, the Rainbow Futurity, and the All American Futurity, the track's three Grade 1 Quarter Horse races for 2-year-olds.

The bonus would start in 2003 and be paid out over 20 years at $200,000 per year.

Since the winner of the All American Futurity receives $1 million, the total earnings for any horse sweeping the three races would exceed $5 million.

The only horse to win all three races was Special Effort in 1981.

"The Ruidoso triple crown and the All American Futurity have long been recognized as the jewels of Quarter Horse racing. It's only fitting that they carry a historic bonus," said R.D. Hubbard, chairman of the board of Ruidoso Downs and co-owner of All American Futurity finalist Phenomenal Fantasy.