New Mexico
The 2025 Ruidoso Futurity and Ruidoso Derby highlight weekend racing at Ruidoso Downs
Kentucky Derby trainers support reforms for immigrant workforce
“If we couldn’t have an immigrant workforce on the backside, I don’t know how horse racing exists,” trainer Dale Romans said at Churchill Downs two days before the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
A big weekend of quarter horse racing is in store at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino.
The 400-yard Ruidoso Derby is slated for Saturday, June 7, for 3-year-old quarter horses and will start at 4:54 p.m. MT and is race No. 10.
The 350-yard Ruidoso Futurity is slated for Sunday, June 8, for 2-year-old quarter horses and will start at 5:10 p.m. MT and is race No. 10.
Both the Ruidoso Futurity and Ruidoso Derby are the first leg of the Triple Crown for both the 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds. The Rainbow Futurity and Rainbow Derby, as well as the All American Futurity and All American Derby, will be held later in the spring/summer meet in Ruidoso.
On both Saturday and Sunday, there are 10 races and the first race begins at 1 p.m.
Ruidoso Derby post positions, horses, jockeys, trainers, owners and morning-line odds
- Hardtokatch, Juan Pulido, Cristian Alcala, JSM Quarter Horses LLC and Alcala Ranch LLC, 30-1
- FDD Dreams, Luis M. Martinez, Xavier E. Rodriguez, La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC. (Javier Rodriguez et al), 5-2
- Electrifying Cowboy, Sergio Becerra, Jr. Ramon Mendoza, Tungsten Racing Partnership (Marcelino Gonzalez et al) and Ronald L. Sugamosto, 20-1
- Little Vaquero, Fransico Calderon, Xavier E. Rodriguez, La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC. (Javier Rodriguez et al), 5-2, 5-1
- Lethal Cowboy 123, Edwin G, Escobedo, Marc E. Jungers, Caliche Walls Venture LLC, Alan Isbell, K. Lance Bland and Jimmy Barton, 15-1
- Eagle Aye, Luis Angel Flores-Garcia, Ramon Mendoza, Tungsten Racing Partnership (Marcelino Gonzalez et al) and Heysol Howlet, 15-1
- KJ Born To Be Wild, Wesley T. Giles, Noe Garcia, Jr., John and W. Kathy Lee and I. Ruben Mares, 8-1
- DAOU, Christian Cardenas, Fred Danley, J & SM, Inc. (Sue May et al), 9-2
- Stetsonn, Bryan Candanosa, Dean R. Frey, G,R. Jr. and Shaena Carter, 7-2
- Cartel Perry, Jesus Rios Ayala, Christopher O’Dell, Johnny Trotter, 10-1
Ruidoso Futurity post positions, horses, jockeys, trainers, owners and morning-line odds
- Apolitical Valor, Jacob Enriquez, Clinton Crawford, MJR Investments, Ltd. (Yolanda Rogers et al), 5-1
- Famous N Relentless, Ramiro Haro Garcia, Jason L. Olmstead, Tom Maher and Amber Olmstead, 15-1
- Allegiant Air, Ruben Castro, Trey Wood, Norman W. Allen, 20-1
- Dee Favorite Tacha, Jesse Lee levario, Ricardo G. Armendariz, Ricardo G. Armendariz, Jr. and Eric Pineda, 7-2
- Preying n Sinning, Christian Cardenas, Alberto Amparan, 93 Ranch (Jorge Vasquez et al), 15-1
- AJ Remember Me, Juan Pulido, Cristian Alcala, Corinna M. Sosa, 10-1
- Jess Cartel Blue, Ali Rivera, John Stinebaugh, Pete A. Scarmardo, 8-1
- Russ Gus, Francisco Calderon, Xavier E. Rodriguez, Daniel G. Miranda, 9-1
- Political Twist, Luis M. Martinez, Xavier E. Rodriguez, La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and B. Ray Willis, 5-2
- Lareda, Ricky Ramirez, Trey Wood, E. Gene Bradley and Tod Bradley, 30-1
Felix Chavez’s picks for Ruidoso Futurity and Ruidoso Derby
- In the Ruidoso Futurity, I like Political Twist, who has won all three career starts, including the West Texas Futurity at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on April 5. Political Twist has great early speed and won his trial for this race by more than two lengths. Political Twist is listed at 5-2 in the morning line.
- In the Ruidoso Derby, my pick to win is Stetsonn. The Oklahoma-bred has had a wonderful 3-year-old campaign, winning three of four starts. He is the son of 2015 All American Futurity winner Jess Good Candy. If this horse breaks on top, he has a great chance to win as he has a good closing finish.
Longshots to watch in Ruidoso Futurity and Ruidoso Derby
- The longshot I like in the Ruidoso Futurity is Allegiant Air, who is listed at 20-1 in the morning line. He has won two of three career starts and ran sixth in the West Texas Futurity, where he had a troubled start.
- The longshot I like in the Ruidoso Derby is Hardtokatch. The Texas-bred didn’t run as a 2-year-old and that appears to have helped him. He has won both starts in 2025 and has shown that he can get the lead early and hold the lead throughout, plus he doesn’t have the wear and tear of a grueling 2-year-old campaign.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
SANTA FE, N.M. – Santa Fe County and Edgewood approved a new agreement and ordinance that secures ongoing fire and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
According to a joint announcement from the Town of Edgewood and Santa Fe County on June 19, the two governments negotiated and adopted a new Joint Powers Agreement and ordinance to keep the Santa Fe County Fire Department serving the town.
County and town representatives drafted the agreement together. The town adopted the ordinance unanimously at a special meeting on June 16, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty.
Santa Fe County District 3 Commissioner Camilla Bustamante said, “I believe we are all relieved to know that the people of Edgewood will continue to have the fire and EMS services necessary to protect their homes, their families, and their community. This community deserves nothing less.”
The announcement said the ordinance takes effect five days after final publication. The statement also said no further action or approval is needed to guarantee continued fire suppression, fire prevention, and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
Both governments noted the agreement will continue indefinitely unless either side ends it with five years’ notice.
New Mexico leaders are backing a bipartisan bill after 12 confirmed U.S. screwworm cases, including one case in a Lea County dog.
SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico leaders are backing a bipartisan bill after 12 confirmed U.S. screwworm cases, including one case in a Lea County dog.
New Mexico State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Holeck said the parasite has spread to New Mexico, though officials say they have not found any human cases.
“This is also not a political issue this is a nationwide issue that we all need to address because it affects all warm blooded animals including humans,” Holeck said.
U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez and Teresa Leger Fernandez support the Protect America’s Herds Act.
The bill would create a grant program to train people to identify, treat, prevent and report screwworm. It would also support more livestock inspections and education for ranchers.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez said she heard concerns from tribal leaders about the cost of protecting cattle herds.
“I spoke with one of our tribal leaders today and they have cattle operation and they’re worried, and they’re talking about how much more money they’re having to pay to go make sure they check on their herds and there are extra costs,” Leger Fernandez said.
Funding would prioritize states and tribal communities most at risk for screwworm outbreaks.
State health officials said screwworm is not a food safety issue. They also said ranchers should stay alert but not alarmed.
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