The June misfortunes of Ruidoso Downs continued June 29 as heavy rain in the area caused flooding on portions of the track, prompting the cancellation of the final two Quarter Horse races Saturday and the postponement of the June 30 card to July 1.
After wildfires prompted an evacuation of horses June 18, the New Mexico oval escaped damage. However, the surrounding area was devastated and led to the flooding that occurred Saturday.
"When you get the fires and then you get the heavy downpours, there's not a lot of vegetation to trap and absorb the water," said New Mexico Racing Commission executive director Izzy Trejo.
The Rio Ruidoso runs through the middle of the track; traveling beneath the clubhouse turn, into the infield, under the far turn, and through the barn area. Flooding of the track is not uncommon, especially during the summer monsoon season. The severity of flooding varies by the year.
Flood water and debris overtopped its banks as it traveled downstream and spilled onto the racetrack Saturday. The damage was mostly contained to the backstretch and clubhouse turn of the Thoroughbred track. The Quarter Horse straightaway, which is between the Thoroughbred track and grandstand, was unaffected.
Ruidoso Downs is in the middle of their mixed Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet, which runs until Sept. 2. Although the only races that were impacted this weekend were for Quarter Horses, the Thoroughbred races scheduled to resume July 4 are in question.
"Quarter Horse racing may be halted for the short term," Trejo said. "The commission is looking to have HISA come in and do some tests on the racing surface until we feel comfortable to put Thoroughbreds out there."
The Quarter Horse track joins the Thoroughbred track on the clubhouse turn, and the flooding would impact Quarter Horses pulling up after the race. Among the races canceled were the Sunday trials for the Rainbow Derby.
"The safety of our athletes is always our top priority," said Ruidoso general manager Rick Baugh in a release. "We are working on making the track safe again after flooding and we believe we will be able to conduct the Derby trials tomorrow."
"We're swiftly working to move forward with track repair but are required to meet government approval to pass environment standards."
According to Trejo, the NMRC had not been made aware of any issues with the infrastructure of the barn area or the safety of the horses.
