Drenched Ruidoso Hopes to Hold Festival

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Photo: courtesy of Ruidoso Downs

Ruidoso Downs was deluged by rain from the remnants of hurricane Dolly.

from Ruidoso Downs

Ruidoso Downs is rebounding 24 hours after being pounded by seven inches of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Dolly.

Billy The Kid Casino and simulcast wagering remain open on the regular schedule of 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m.-1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Live racing, however, has been impacted.

While 200 Ruidoso, N.M., homes were damaged, and nearly 2,000 people were evacuated from their homes July 27, there were no injuries at Ruidoso Downs, no damage to the grandstand, and all 1,400 horses are safe in their barns. There was no flooding inside the barns.

The July 27 Zia Festival program, with 10 stakes and more than $1 million in purses for New Mexico-breds, has been rescheduled for Aug. 2. All the horses entered in the Zia Festival program are automatically entered. That includes Peppers Pride, who is trying for an all-time record of 17 consecutive wins, though the mare may not compete if she can’t train leading up to the race.

Track surface consultant Dennis Moore is working with track superintendent Terry Brown and his crew to return the racing surface to peak condition for safe racing. Moore also consults on track maintenance at Los Alamitos, Hollywood Park, Zia Park, The Downs at Albuquerque, and Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino.

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