RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico – It’s one of the biggest racing weeks of the summer season at Ruidoso Downs when the Zia Festival overwhelms the grandstand and racing schedule this weekend.
Racing runs Thursday through Sunday with the usual 1 p.m. first post time. There is always free parking and free general admission at Ruidoso Downs.
The Zia Festival activities start on Saturday with vendors throughout the grandstand on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The vendors represent everything New Mexico with art, crafts and wares from our Land of Enchantment. It is great browsing for the entire family and you will find something that you “must have.†Come early and shop before the races or walk around the booths between races for great values and bargains. Ruidoso Downs employees will be “decking out†their areas with the hopes of winning the decorating contest that becomes more of a friendly rivalry between contestants every year.
The Zia Festival racing program on Sunday afternoon features the best New Mexico-bred quarter horses and thoroughbreds on the track for the stakes-filled program. The class of the thoroughbreds is shown by the fact that the great Pepper’s Pride, who retired undefeated with a record-setting 19-for-19 career mark was a Zia Festival regular for trainer Joel Marr. This Sunday the richest race of the $1-million stakes-filled program is the $321,000 Zia Futurity for quarter horses, headed by fastest-qualifier Jess A Chicks.
The remaining Zia Festival races include the $107,000 Zia Derby, $50,000 Zia Handicap, $50,000 Zia 870 Championship, $50,000 Sierra Starlet, $50,000 Road Runner Handicap, $125,000 Rio Grande Senor Futurity, $125,000 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity, $50,000 Land Of Enchantment Handicap and the $50,000 Lincoln Handicap.
There is foot-stomping entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights with Rich Chorne and the Usual Suspects performing in Billy’s Sports Bar and Grill. There are also dinner specials every evening in Billy’s Sports Bar and Grill.
The racing action starts on Thursday afternoon with Zapatero, Ize On Juan and Fistfite Jewel each coming off maiden wins in the featured eighth race on the nine race program.
Zapatero stalked the pace and then pulled out to a five-and-a-half-length win. Ize On Juan and Fistfite Jewel each raced near the lead before gaining their daylight wins.