Ruidoso Downs moves major Quarter Horse races to Texas for 2027
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 6, 2026, 3:06 AM
Last updated Sep 6, 2026
Horse RacingOwners of Ruidoso Downs Race Track announced plans to move the Quarter Horse Racing Triple Crown series to Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, for the 2027 season. The series, which includes the Ruidoso Futurity, the Rainbow Futurity, and the All-American Futurity, was relocated to Albuquerque this year due to ongoing track closures caused by wildfires and floods in 2024 and 2025. Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford expressed disappointment regarding the economic impact on the region but noted the decision is tied to local infrastructure recovery delays. The move also includes the All-American Super Select Sale and the Ruidoso Downs Hall of Fame. While the 2027 agreement is currently being finalized, the track in Ruidoso remains without a scheduled reopening date.
- •The Quarter Horse Racing Triple Crown series will move to Lone Star Park in Texas in 2027.
- •Ruidoso Downs has been inoperable since suffering damage from wildfires and flash floods.
- •The move includes the $3 million All-American Futurity, the richest quarter horse race globally.
- •Local officials cite slow progress on federal recovery and infrastructure projects as a factor in the move.
- •Ruidoso Downs currently has no official date to resume operations.
- 3:06 AMYahoo Sports — Key races moving to Texas 'disappointing' but understandable for Ruidoso
"Lynn Crawford apologized and silenced another call. The Ruidoso mayor’s phones — both his work and personal cells — hadn’t stopped ringing since Thursday’s announcement that the owners of Ruidoso Downs Race Track reached an agreement to move some of New Mexico’s most prominent horse races to Texas next year. The latest person to reach out? A reporter from England. “That’s how big this story ...
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