RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. (KRQE) – Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino is one step closer to getting horses back on its track after being closed since 2024.
The track had to close for the first time due to flooding in the South Fork fire burn scar and, as a result, race meets were moved from the Ruidoso Downs to Albuquerque.
Since then, crews have been working to restore the track and adjust infrastructure to prevent flooding. “We’re right now at the east end of the racetrack, and what you see behind us is about a 50 percent completion of the turn. So we’re on schedule. They should have this done by Friday, which will give us the racetrack so that we can start reapplying the cushion itself,” said Rick Baugh, general manager of Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino.
The track has also installed culverts to help with potential flooding and built an 8-acre retention basin in the infield. “They’re going to remove over 150,000 yards of material out of that retention basin. The retention basin is actually for the residents downstream, as well as the sewer treatment plant and the Highway 70 bridge,” Baugh explained.
The Downs expects to have horses back on the track by the end of April and is planning to reopen on May 23.