Don Cook, president of racing at The Downs at Albuquerque, announced in an ESPN Radio 101.7 "THE TEAM" interview that the All-American Futurity and Derby trials will now be held at the Albuquerque track. This change comes after flooding at Ruidoso Downs disrupted the original schedule.
"We're going to run the trials for the All-American Futurity on the fourth, fifth, and then All-American Derby on the sixth," said Cook. "It's great to keep this race alive, first of all, and second, keep it within our state. We're excited to help Rio Dos put this race on."
The announcement was made during an ESPN Radio 101.7 FM segment hosted by Joe O’Neill, Adam Deal, and Andres Chavez. Cook explained that The Downs at Albuquerque would take over hosting duties for the All-American Futurity trials on August 4–6 due to extensive flooding. The podcast highlighted the effort's scope, noting 16 races per day and an early start to the Albuquerque racing season to accommodate the change.
According to KOB 4 News, substantial flood damage forced Ruidoso Downs to cancel its planned weekend races, prompting a shift in venue for the All-American Futurity and Derby trials. This marks the second consecutive year that weather emergencies have affected the racing calendar.
The All-American Futurity is considered the most prestigious race in American quarter horse racing, with a purse of $3 million and a long-standing legacy of identifying elite two-year-olds. According to the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), it is regarded as the "crown jewel" of the sport.
Severe monsoon rains in Lincoln County caused flash flooding that overwhelmed Ruidoso’s infrastructure and forced cancellations of planned horse racing events. Earlier wildfires in the same region compounded impacts on tourism and sporting industries. According to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, state officials continue to provide aid and assess damages.
Editor's note: This article includes excerpts from an interview conducted on "TEAM Talk" with Joe O'Neill, Adam Diehl, and Andres Chavez."TEAM Talk" airs Monday through Friday between 4 pm-7 pm on ESPN Radio 101.7 TheTEAM.
