Ruidoso Derby
June 12, 2021 Marks the 28th Running of the Ruidoso Derby
The first leg of the Quarter Horse Triple Crown Derby races, the Ruidoso Derby first ran in 1994 and traditionally runs at the beginning of the Ruidoso Downs Race Track season.
2021 Ruidoso Derby Dates
2021 Ruidoso Derby Winner
Ruidoso Derby Race News
Empressum, the gelding who set a new track record at 400-yards in the Ruidoso Derby trials, showed that it was no fluke by winning the G1 $673,567 Ruidoso Derby with a time of:19.33 today over a fast track. The race-time favorite paid $4.00, $2.80, and $2.40 winning by a length over Valiant Stars who finished second, and Jettz who ran third.
Empressum broke the 400-yard track record winning the 8th race in :19.149 and leads qualifiers in the $700,000 (est.) Ruidoso Derby trials. The previous track record for 400-yards was set by Charvet during the trials for the 2013 Ruidoso Derby in a time of 19.151. Empressum, winner of the Remington Derby on April 17, paid a $30,000 fee to supplement into today’s trials.
Ruidoso Downs Race Track opens its summer meet on Friday, May 28 with two days of trials for the first leg of the Quarter Horse Triple Crown, the Ruidoso Futurity. Sunday will showcase Ruidoso Derby trials, and Monday's program will feature a flag ceremony on the track after the 3rd race in honor of Memorial Day along with the running of the John Andreini Memorial Stakes.
Whistle Stop Café, undefeated winner of 2020 All American and Rainbow Futurities, will skip the trials for the $1 million (est.) Ruidoso Derby opening weekend and is expected to resume her racing career in the trials for the Rainbow Derby on July 11, 2021.
After leading the field in the time trials for the Ruidoso Derby, the filly Hotsempting proved once again that she has what it takes to run with the boys in an impressive win in the $900,000 Ruidoso Derby. Running into a stiff headwind, Hotsempting broke clean and never faltered over the 400 yards on her way to her first Grade 1 stakes win with a time of:20.00.
Tim Keithley talks with trainers about the 2020 Ruidoso Derby qualifiers racing on Saturday, June 6.
2014 -2019
View the Ruidoso Derby Playlist on our YouTube Channel