ALBUQUERQUE – Two-year-old quarter horse racing’s premier summer showcases are getting an early, historic change of scenery.
The trials for the Grade 1, $1 million Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity will take place Friday and Saturday at Albuquerque Downs. The 350-yard sprint trials, traditionally hosted in the mountain air of Ruidoso Downs, were moved north for the 2026 season.
Management of Ruidoso Downs Race Track announced last January that the 2026 live racing season will be held in Albuquerque, citing damage from catastrophic flooding.
The mountain town of Ruidoso faced unprecedented wildfires during the spring and summer of 2024. The South Fork and Salt fires devastated the region, burning more than 25,000 acres, destroying hundreds of structures and stripping the surrounding mountains of vegetation.
A massive field of freshman quarter horses will vie for a spot in the finals, with only the five fastest times from each day securing a gate for the upcoming finals, to be held Sunday, June 7.
A total of 26 trials, 13 on Friday and Saturday, feature a total of 241 horses with only one of them having a chance at the elusive All American Triple Crown.
The opening card on Friday features several battle-tested juveniles alongside exceptionally well-bred first-time starters. The afternoon’s second race shapes up as the most lucrative trial of the day, headlined by Whatdyathinkofmenow.
Trained by John A. Stinebaugh, the gelding enters with a staggering $173,357 in career earnings and a 9-5 morning-line favoritism. He will look to rebound after a grueling nose duel in his last outing, the Remington Park Futurity. He will face stiff pressure from One Famous Carmelita, boasting a crisp maiden victory and a steady closing kick.
Stinebaugh, one of the nation’s leading quarter horse trainers and winner of the 2010 All American Derby with Double Down Special, has 18 horses entered in the weekend of Futurity trials.
The eighth trial on Friday features the unbeaten Tymetogojoe. The Jason Olmstead trainee is a perfect 2-for-2, having recently exploded clear in an allowance matchup at Remington Park. Backed by $26,440 in earnings and a dominant resume, he is the heavy 9-5 morning line favorite.
Challenging the undefeated favorite is Catching Your Dreams, looking to avenge a troubled performance in his most recent start.
On Saturday, the trials turn up the heat with high-dollar sale graduates and some of the region’s most explosive speed metrics.
Saturday’s seventh race is arguably the marquee event of the entire weekend. Chief Keef 123 draws the rail as the 3-1 favorite for trainer Xavier Rodriguez. The gelding has already amassed $44,272, including a gritty third-place effort in the West Texas Futurity.
Chief Keef 123 must contend with D Amor. Trained by Jason Olmstead, D Amor has been a model of consistency in three starts, most recently finishing second in a $100,000 juvenile stakes race.
Adding further depth is Jet Two Is Armed (9-2), who drew away comfortably to win his maiden debut at Sam Houston Race Course.
Saturday’s 11th race provides a fascinating rematch of high-caliber fillies. Dulce Dreams yields a 5-2 selection following a dominant maiden score at Remington Park in late March. She will look to hold off the dangerous Cartier (7-2), who proved her grit by winning a three-horse duel on April 30.
The Saturday card concludes with Race 13, featuring the heavily backed Tater Hill Senator (3-1). The gelding ran a spectacular 15.07-second race at 300 yards in March. He is expected to face a late charge from Famous Ms Sashay (7-2).
For more information on the opening weekend of the Ruidoso at Albuquerque season, check out the track’s official page at equibase.com.