QROOI Board of Directors Update

Shakopee, Minn.  —  Canterbury Park announced that Jesse Sherwood has been named head starter for the 2026 race meet that begins May 23. Sherwood’s career working on the starting gate began in 2008 at Canterbury where he spent four seasons as an assistant starter. He has been head starter at Fair Grounds in New Orleans the past two seasons. Sherwood also worked at racetracks in New Mexico becoming head starter at Energy Downs in Wyoming and at the Montana State Fair meet in Great Falls. 

“Returning to Canterbury Park will feel like somewhat of a homecoming,” Sherwood said. “I know there will be many new faces but I am sure to find some familiar ones as well.”

The starter and his team of assistants are responsible for ensuring a fair start for each race as well as a safe and orderly process of loading horses into the starting gate.

“I try hard and I care and take pride in having a team of assistants that do the same,” he said. “Good starts on race day come from the hard work and patience during morning schooling.”

Sherwood, a native of Selah, Washington, grew up on the racetrack. He is a third-generation horseman. His mother was a trainer, and his father, a former jockey, was the superintendent of the jockey’s room at Washington racetracks for 40 years.

“We are pleased to have found someone with Jesse’s experience to fill the very important role of head starter,” Canterbury Park general manager John Groen said. “We are proud of the consistency and safety record of our starting gate team and feel that Jesse will uphold those high standards.”

Sherwood replaces Oscar Quiroz who took a similar position at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Courtesy of Jeff Maday

2026 Spring Forward Sale

This year’s sale, although small, drew a very diverse consignment of horses. Foals in Utero, Yearlings, Race Age, Barrel / Performance prospects and Broodmares were all included in the selection of horses offered. The average sales price on horses sold was $13,500. The high seller was Ms Dynasty, consigned by Tom Maher sold for $38,000, a stakes producing FDD Dynasty daughter in foal to Hes Relentless for a 2027 foal. Horses were sold to 5 different states from California to Minnesota and 1 going to Canada.

Heritage Place wishes everyone much success with their purchases and best of luck at the races this year. Our next sale will be the annual Quarter Horse Yearling Sale, September 24–26, 2026; the consignment deadline is June 17th, consignment forms will be available for online completion at www.heritageplace.com under the Quarter Horse Yearling Sale tab.

Courtesy of Heritage Place

Opens with Trials for $1 Million Ruidoso Futurity May 22

(Ruidoso Downs, NM) Ruidoso Downs Racetrack will open the 2026 race meet on Friday, May 22 at the Downs of Albuquerque featuring trials for the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity for two-year-old quarter horses. The 49-day race meet will feature both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing to be held Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day, Sept. 7.

“The Downs of Albuquerque is currently accepting stall applications,” Downs of Albuquerque President of Racing Don Cook said.  “The condition book for the first two weeks of racing and the 2026 stakes schedule will be available at the end of the month at www.abqdowns.com, and  www.raceruidoso.com. We invite all horsemen to make plans to participate.”

This will be the third consecutive racing season that Downs of Albuquerque has hosted the $3 million All American Futurity scheduled to be run on Labor Day. Approximately 600 quarter horses have been nominated to race in the All-American trials which are scheduled for Aug. 7-8.

 Downs At Albuquerque, President of racing Don Cook plans to run a mixed meet with quarter horse and thoroughbred races conducted each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here is the current stakes schedule for the 2026 Ruidoso Downs horse race season pending approval by the New Mexico Racing Commission:

2026 Stakes Schedule

May 25    $45,000-added John Andreini Q.H. Stakes       350 yards

May 30    $50,000-added Jess Burner Q.H. Stakes           400 yards

June 6     $850,000 (est.) Ruidoso Q.H. Derby                    400 yards

June 6    $100,000 Ruidoso Q.H. Invitational                      400 yards

June 7     $1 Million Ruidoso Q.H. Futurity                           350 yards

June 7     $100,000 Ruidoso  Q.H. Juvenile                          350 yards

June 13   $100,000 (est.) Ruidoso Maiden Stakes            350 yards

June 13   $150,000 (est.) Mountain Top Q.H. Derby         350 yards

June 14   $350,000 (est.) Mountain Top Futurity                350 yards

June 14   $50,000 Mountain Top Q.H. Juvenile                   350 yards

June 20  $50,000 Vista Distaff Stakes                                   350 yards

June 21   $50,000 Sierra Starlet (TB)                                      5 ½ Furlongs

July 5       $50,000 Land of Enchantment Stakes (TB)       7 Furlongs

July 11      $1 million (est.) Rainbow Q.H. Derby                440 yards

July 11     $350,000 (est.) Rainbow Q.H. Oaks                    440 yards

July 11     $100,000 (est.) Rainbow Q.H. Invitational        440 yards

July 12     $1 million (est.) Rainbow Q.H. Futurity              400 yards

July 12           $100,000 (est.) Rainbow Q.H. Juvenile        400 yards    

July 18           $175,000 (est.) Zia Quarter Horse Derby     400 yards

July 18           $50,000 Zia Quarter Horse Stakes                 400 yards

July 19           $375,000 (est) Zia Quarter Horse Futurity    400 yards

July 19           $50,000 Zia Quarter Horse Juvenile              400 yards

July 19           $50,000 Zia 870 Championship                      870 yards

July 25           $45,000 Mr. Jet Moore Q.H. Stakes                400 yards

July 26           $50,000 Road Runner Stakes (TB)                  5 and ½ Furlongs

Aug 2             $50,000 Rio Grande Senorita (TB)                  5 and ½ Furlongs

Aug 2             $50,000 Rio Grande Senor  (TB)                      5 and ½ Furlongs

Aug 16          $50,000 Lincoln Stakes (TB)                             6 Furlongs

Aug 29          $50,000 Bill Reed Memorial                             870 yards

Sept 6           $1 mIllion (est.) All American Q.H. Derby    440 yards

Sept 6           $700,000 (est.) All American Q.H. Oaks      440 yards

Sept 6           $100,000  All American Q.H. Invitational    440 yards

Sept 7           $3 million (est.) All American Q.H. Futurity  440 yards

Sept 7           $200,000 All American Q.H. Juvenile            440 yards

Sept 7           $250,000 All American Q.H. Gold Cup         440 yards

According to the Downs of Albuquerque website, the barn area is scheduled to open for horses and trainers on April 22.

Both annual horse sales will be held at Ruidoso Downs Horse Sales Pavilion. The annual New Mexico-bred Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Yearling Sale will be Saturday, August 15. The annual All American Select Sale will also be held at Ruidoso Downs on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 4-5.

Billy the Kid Casino at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack remains open Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The casino will remain open while the horse race meet is being conducted at Downs of Albuquerque.

Courtesy of Tim Keithley, Ruidoso Downs