RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (KSTM) — Flash flooding in Ruidoso put a halt to the Rainbow Futurity horserace trials on Saturday, June 28.
Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino canceled the final two scheduled races after the track was overcome with floodwater.
The racetrack reopened on Friday, June 28, with 17 races. Saturday was supposed to have the same amount but severe weather interrupted those plans. Racetrack crews were working to clean the track once the rain stopped, to move forward with the 13 scheduled races for Sunday.
The general manager at the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino said his team did not make the decision to proceed with the trials lightly, but after taking into consideration the current wildfires status and the racing community the choice was clear.
“We are the Kentucky Derby of the quarterhorse industry, but we have a lasting effect throughout the United States from Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, California and so on. So it was very important that we get these trials run so we didn’t disrupt the schedule,” said General Manager Rick Baugh.
Baugh added: “I’m not downplaying the tragedy, the area. I mean, good lord. Bless everybody that came in to help and to do so. And we just can’t say enough about that. But as you can see from the area, we were quite a ways from the fire and we took a lot of precautionary measures and was watching and staying on top of it daily.”
