Ruidoso Downs Announces Season Leading Owners, Trainers, Jockeys
RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – September 7, 2020 –On the final day of racing at Ruidoso Downs, the top trainers, owners, and jockeys in both the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred categories were recognized for their accomplishments during the 2020 racing season. Each of the winners received belt buckles commemorating their success this season at Ruidoso Downs.
In the Quarter Horse category, trainer Mike Joiner came out on top with 24 wins on the season. Jockey Ricky Ramirez takes home top jockey honors with 24 wins, and Bobby Cox is this season’s top Quarter Horse owner with 10 wins.
Photo of trainer Mike Joiner, courtesy of Ruidoso Downs
Photo of jockey Ricky Ramirez, courtesy of Ruidoso Downs
In the Thoroughbred category, trainer Casey Lambert had a banner season with 35 wins, and Champion Racing Stables and Rick Cundiff are the season’s top Thoroughbred owners with 18 wins. Luis Fuentes was the leading Thoroughbred rider with 25 trips to the winner’s circle.
The overall season winners in both categories were also Casey Lambert with 38 wins and Luis Fuentes with 26 wins.
Photo of Trainer Casey Lambert, courtesy of Ruidoso Downs
Photo of jockey Luis Fuentes, courtesy of Ruidoso Downs.
“It feels really good. Two years ago, I had six horses, and I was training from one barn over there on top of the hill. Now I have 60 in my barn,” said Lambert. “I’m thankful for the growth and what we’ve done through the whole process. The bottom line is you have to have good horses and owners. I’m just so grateful for how it’s worked out. I’m having more fun training horses than I ever did riding them.”
In Monday’s sixth race, a 1 ½ mile marathon, the Lambert-trained and owned Wilma’s Irish Rover broke a 31-year-old track record by hitting the wire in 2:34.87. The old record was set by Decidedly Henry at 2:37.
It is the first-ever rider championship for Fuentes who is just 20-years-old. His older brother is jockey Miguel Fuentes, and they are originally from El Paso.
“It means so much to me because it’s the first time I’ve had this opportunity,” said Fuentes. “I want to thank all the trainers and their grooms. They are the ones who prepare these horses to win every day.”