Ruidoso Downs Race Track Announces 20% Overnight Purse Increase & Prepares for First Triple-Crown Races This Weekend

Ruidoso Downs, NM—Management of Ruidoso Downs Race Track are announcing a 20% increase in the overnight purse structure starting with the second condition book for overnight races beginning June 17.

“This is a healthy increase,” Chief Operating Officer Rick Baugh said. “We will continue to reward our horsemen whenever we are able to pass along any purse increases for overnight competition.”

Racing continues this weekend with trials for the $150,000 Mountain Top Thoroughbred Futurity on Friday, the $686,000 Ruidoso Derby for three-year-old quarter horses on Saturday, and the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity on Sunday. First post time is 1 p.m. each day.

Saturday’s Ruidoso Derby matches last season’s All American Futurity Champion KJ Despardo against Lethal Avenger. The quarter horses were the top two qualifiers in the trials held opening weekend. KJ Desparado (#3) is the 5/2 morning line favorite for jockey Adrian Ramos and trainer Wes Giles. Lethal Avenger (#9) is 3-1 on the morning line with jockey Noe Garcia riding for trainer Fred Danley.

Sunday’s Ruidoso Futurity features the top qualifiers of opening weekend’s trials. Otts Boy (#8) is the 2-1 morning line favorite with jockey Ramon Sanchez and trainer Toby Keeton, and Chasing AJ (#7) is 3-1 on the morning line for jockey Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo.

Local and regional vendors will be displaying various products in the Grandstand and in the Santa Fe Furniture Events Center throughout the weekend. Admission is free to all the events.