Ruidoso cancels rest of 2025 meet after massive flooding

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For the second time in less than a year, massive floods have led to the cancellation of the Ruidoso Downs race meeting in New Mexico.

On Tuesday, the track and its stable area were inundated with runoff from a massive rainstorm that struck mountains near the track. The flood was so severe that the racing surface and infield were covered in water. The single-story jockeys’ room, located on the infield, was flooded briefly to its roof line.

Track owner Johnny Trotter said Wednesday morning that the damage was too significant to continue the racing season.

“We can’t run at Ruidoso again this year,” he said in a brief interview. “We can’t put it back together.”

On Wednesday morning, track officials were holding meetings to discuss a course of action.

Last year, the final weeks of the Ruidoso Downs meeting were relocated to the Downs at Albuquerque where the $3 million All American Futurity was held away from Ruidoso Downs for the first time in history. The All American Futurity was first run in 1959.

Trotter said Wednesday that options include relocating the current meeting or returning nomination fees to owners.

“I’m still considering moving the All American,” he said.

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