Thoroughbred Futurities Highlight Weekend

Of Racing at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

     Two stakes events for two-year-old New Mexico-bred thoroughbreds highlight the racing this weekend at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

     On Sunday, the $118,039 Rio Grande Senor and $112,992 Rio Grande Senorita Thoroughbred Futurities will be run as the 9th and 11th races on the card. Post time is 1 p.m. on Friday with post time on Saturday and Sunday scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

     The 9-5 morning line favorite in Sunday’s Rio Grande Senor Futurity is Community Leader and jockey Felipe Valdez for owners Kirk and Judy Robison and trainer Todd Fincher. The gelding is undefeated in three starts including a win in the Mountain Top Thoroughbred Futurity on June 25.

     In the Rio Grande Senorita Futurity, Mark The Winner and jockey Christian Ramos are favored on the morning line at 2-1. Owned by Rodney Brooks and Donnie Reed, the filly has won both of her starts for trainer Simon Buechler.

     Meanwhile, the racing office will be drawing trial races this weekend for the $3 million All American Futurity, $1 million All American Derby, and $800,000 All American Oaks. Early post times are anticipated for next week’s trial races and will be announced on Friday.