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
