Finally some horses in a starting gate!

That’s certainly a good start all things considered…Here’s hoping that before too long Ruidoso Downs will be able to welcome fans in the stands and all of this will be behind us.

THERE WERE MORE THAN 500 RACING FANS WATCHING TODAY’S BROADCASTED SCHOOLING WORKS online at www.raceruidoso.com during the peak periods of the afternoon.

TRAINER WES GILES HAD A TERRIFIC FIRST DAY with 9 wins including the fastest time which went to Sophia Maria, an Apollitical Jess-sired Oklahoma-bred filly. She had three previous works before today including a time of 12.01 for 220 yards at Frontera Training Center April 15. She scored the fastest time today of 13.516 for 250 yards out of 128 horses who competed.

THE THREE FASTEST TIMES OF THE DAY were all in the 7th work. The American flag in the infield was flying fairly flat all day but did pick up a little as a crosswind in the late races. Trainer Giles said, “I’m hoping my luck doesn’t run out after the first day.” Trust me—it won’t.

WELCOME TO BRAND NEW RUIDOSO DOWNS TRACK ANNOUNCER Mike Dimoff who spent his very first day in the Ruidoso Downs announcer’s booth on Wednesday. “It feels very comfortable,” Mike said stepping away from the microphone after calling for five straight hours to an online-only audience.

Mike is originally from outside of Toronto where he remembers his race track debut at age 12 alongside his Dad who owned horses at the time. Mike caught the racing career bug and spent 11 years in the announcer’s booth at Canada’s Northlands Park before heading south to the Fairgrounds in New Orleans. His primary job is being a registered nurse in the pediatric critical care unit of a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona. His summer plan is to continue working there while calling races here—quite a commute.

JOCKEY RICKY RAMIREZ HAD TWO WINS TODAY for the Blane Wood barn including One Famous Eagle-sired Mister Blue Sky in the 19th work. “He’s pretty green but has some talent,” Ricky said. Ricky also noted the arrival this week into the Wood barn of last year’s Ruidoso Futurity champion Fernweh who remained undefeated in winning the Grade I Remington Park Derby April 18. The filly topped some nice three-year-olds including last year’s All American Futurity winner Mr Jess Jenkins in the Remington final last month. Plans are for Fernweh to race in the trials of the Ruidoso Derby opening weekend while attempting to stay undefeated

—Tim Keithley