sa国际传媒官网网页入口

The cheers echoing across the Downs at sa国际传媒官网网页入口 this spring have carried more significance than a typical day at the races.

After flooding left Ruidoso Downs unable to host its 2026 season, officials moved 49 days of racing 鈥� including some of quarter horse racing鈥檚 richest events 鈥� to sa国际传媒官网网页入口, bringing an economic windfall to local businesses while dealing a costly blow to the mountain community.

In late May, sa国际传媒官网网页入口 resident Jose Holguin was among hundreds who attended opening day of the Ruidoso Downs season at the Downs at sa国际传媒官网网页入口.

Before the second race, he bet $10 on the quarter horses Whatdyathinkofmenow and Blueyy because they had posted fast times in previous races, he said.

After the public address announcer shouted, 鈥淭hey鈥檙e running,鈥� Holguin began cheering.

Three-hundred-fifty yards later, Blueyy finished third. Whatdyathinkofmenow finished out of the money.

Despite the loss, Holguin said he was happy to be at the racetrack at 145 Louisiana NE in sa国际传媒官网网页入口.

In years past, fans like Holguin would have traveled about 200 miles south to Ruidoso Downs Race Track to catch the action. The track was a cultural fixture in Ruidoso, drawing thousands of summer visitors and earning a reputation for world-class quarter horse racing.

But in 2024, fires and floods damaged homes and businesses in Lincoln County, including portions of the racetrack. Then last year, flooding caused extensive damage to the facility, prompting officials to relocate the entire 2026 season.

鈥淭here was just too much threat of danger,鈥� Ruidoso Downs General Manager Rick Baugh said.

Moving this year鈥檚 49 days of racing to sa国际传媒官网网页入口 is expected to cost the Ruidoso-area economy between $160 million and $180 million, he added.

One of the meet鈥檚 marquee races, the Ruidoso Quarter Horse Derby, was held June 6. The $3 million All American Futurity is scheduled for Sept. 7.

While Ruidoso is expected to lose millions, sa国际传媒官网网页入口 business owners anticipate an economic boost in the coming months.

鈥楧edicated to supporting our neighbors鈥�

The Downs at sa国际传媒官网网页入口 racing season typically begins in August, so relocating the Ruidoso meet required preparations months earlier than usual.

Don Cook, president of racing at the Downs at sa国际传媒官网网页入口, said he received 鈥渞eal short notice鈥� in 2024 when he learned the races would be moved.

鈥淚t was a semi-shock to get the call that they were going to run it here then,鈥� he said.

鈥淭his year we had a little more time to plan for it.鈥�

One challenge was accommodating the large number of horses.

鈥淲e got more than 4,000 applications for 1,600 stalls, so we had to go through and trim the roster,鈥� Cook said. 鈥淏ut the main hurdle was figuring out how to get these horses in here.鈥�

Baugh and horse owners praised Cook and his staff for ensuring the track was ready.

鈥淚f they hadn鈥檛 stepped in to help, we don鈥檛 know where we would be,鈥� said Pete Scarmardo, a horse owner from Caldwell, Texas.

While Ruidoso horse owners are grateful racing will take place this year, sa国际传媒官网网页入口 business owners such as Frances Garcia of 4-H Feed are also happy to see more races in the city.

After Ruidoso races moved to sa国际传媒官网网页入口 in 2025, Garcia said business increased by 70% to 80%, and she expects another boost this year.

鈥淲e鈥檙e kind of like a bed-and-breakfast for horses,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he trainers place orders for feed, and we deliver it directly to the stalls.鈥�

Cook said horse owners have traveled from as far away as Canada.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge economic impact for sa国际传媒官网网页入口,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he amount of money it brings in, I couldn鈥檛 answer that. But trying to get a hotel room or restaurant reservation is tough.鈥�

Sheraton Uptown General Manager Damen Kompanowski said he has seen an increase in visitors, especially on nights before races.

鈥淢y colleagues in the area have reported a similar uptick during race weekends, and some of our long-term-stay hotels are hosting trainers for the race season,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hile we are seeing positive results that benefit local hotels and businesses, we remain dedicated to supporting our neighbors and are ready to help the Ruidoso community in its recovery efforts.鈥�

Greater sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Terri Cole said the venue change 鈥渋s a good example of how regional industry disruptions ripple statewide, and it shows why the Downs at sa国际传媒官网网页入口 can play a critical, stabilizing role for the entire New Mexico racing ecosystem right now.鈥�

While she said she did not know the exact financial impact on local businesses, 鈥淚 can tell you it is a net positive.鈥�

It remains unclear how long the Downs at sa国际传媒官网网页入口 will continue hosting Ruidoso races. Cook said the track plans 鈥渢o keep this thing going until they figure out what they鈥檙e going to do down there.鈥�

Baugh said he hopes racing will eventually return to Ruidoso. In the meantime, he is encouraging people to visit the track.

鈥淚f you want your heart pounding,鈥� he said, 鈥測ou need to be there to experience it.鈥�

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.