FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2024

(Ruidoso Downs, NM) Ruidoso Downs Race Track has announced that it has met a promised pledge of $500,000 to the Community Foundation of Lincoln County.

“We are very grateful to receive these funds,” Community Foundation Board Chairman Riker Davis said. “The people involved in the racing industry have a passion for the sport of horse racing and this community. We are honored to be able to accept this contribution that will go directly to the victims of the recent fires and floods.”

Ruidoso Downs created an account almost immediately following the origin of the South Fork and Salt Fires. Owners Johnny and Jana Trotter planted $20,000 in seed money that grew quickly over the past six weeks as a number of horse owners, trainers and breeders agreed to participate in making financial contributions.

“We asked members of our racing industry to step-up and help us and they came forward in a big way,” Ruidoso Downs General Manager Rick Baugh said. “We’ve had plenty of small contributions which add-up, but we’ve also received a few significant individual contributions of up to $100,000.”

Some of those who contributed to the race track’s Community Foundation account include: the congregation of the Race Track Chapel and Chaplain Darrell Winter; Breeders Bobby and Lena Cox; Muleshoe Fellowship, LLC; American Quarter Horse Association; Scott and Valerie Branson; Bill and Christine Robbins; Burns Ranch; Ruidoso Racing Foundation; Track Magazine; Speedhorse; and about one hundred other contributors.

One of the more dynamic contributions was horse breeder Carlos Luhan, who donated $20,000 to the fund plus all of the auction proceeds received from four yearling race horses that are scheduled to be sold at the upcoming All American Select Sale Labor Day weekend.

“The $500,000 shows the tremendous heart that the racing industry has for this community,” Baugh said. “We are thankful to have the support of everyone who helped by contributing these funds that will greatly impact the Community Foundation and their financial commitments.”