The announcement that some of New Mexico's most prestigious horse races will be moving to Texas has left Ruidoso's mayor, Lynn Crawford, fielding calls from concerned citizens and media alike. The owners of Ruidoso Downs Race Track have reached an agreement to relocate the Quarter Horse Racing Triple Crown Series to Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, starting in 2027.
This series includes the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity, the $1 million Rainbow Futurity, and the $3 million All-American Futurity, which is recognized as the richest quarter horse race globally. Historically, these races have taken place at Ruidoso Downs, but due to significant damage from the South Fork and Salt fires in 2024, followed by flash floods in 2025, the track has been unable to operate normally.
Earlier this year, the first two legs of the Triple Crown were held at the Downs at Albuquerque, while the All-American Futurity is scheduled for Monday. In addition to the races, the All-American Super Select Sale and the Ruidoso Downs Hall of Fame will also be part of the move, which is part of a broader agreement involving the owners Johnny and Jana Trotter and Global Game Solutions, an investment firm associated with the Chickasaw Nation.
Ruidoso Downs general manager Rick Baugh expressed the need to evaluate the future of the track, stating, "Following the fires and floods of recent years, we have taken a hard look at what comes next and evaluated every realistic path forward. Our responsibility has always been to protect not just a place but a legacy." The uncertainty surrounding the future of Ruidoso Downs is palpable, with no confirmed reopening date and speculation about whether the move to Texas will be temporary or permanent.
Mayor Crawford acknowledged the economic impact of this decision, noting that Ruidoso Downs contributes approximately $180 million annually to the local economy. The disappointment felt by the community is compounded by frustrations regarding the slow response from federal and state agencies, particularly the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Ruidoso is currently facing $100 million in necessary projects for environmental cleanup, infrastructure repairs, and housing reconstruction. However, the village must match 25% of this budget, a significant challenge for a community of just over 7,500 residents. Without funding, these projects remain stalled, leading to uncertainty for the future of Ruidoso Downs.
"It’s a business and businesses have to go on and move forward," Crawford stated, reflecting on the difficult decision made by the track owners. He expressed hope that the situation would prompt quicker action from the relevant agencies to address the pressing needs of the community. "It shouldn’t be this hard, but maybe it is by design so you leave and you just finally quit asking for money and projects. I don’t know,” he added.
As the community grapples with this significant change, the fate of Ruidoso Downs and its storied races hangs in the balance, leaving local residents anxious about the future of their beloved track.
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