ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – For the second consecutive year, the All America Futurity is being held in Albuquerque due to flooding that forced the races out of the Ruidoso Downs racetrack.
“You know, you just have to love the horses. It’s not an easy job,” said Javier Rodriguez, the owner of Political Twist. “The All-American, I think, if you’re in the quarter horse industry, I think All-American is, it’s what you dream for. You know, it’s what you want to compete for. You know, All-American. It’s like the Kentucky Derby for thoroughbreds.”
The qualifying trials for the All American Futurity will take place on Monday and Tuesday, but again, the races will be held in Albuquerque due to the severe damage caused by the Salt and South Fork burn scar flooding, which destroyed the Ruidoso Downs racetrack last year. This year, officials have reported that the damage is even worse.
Rick Baugh, the general manager of Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino, stated in an interview with KRQE back in July, “Us not being back is not acceptable, and the reason I say that is we’re a $160 million economic impact to this community and stay. We’re going to be back.”
Officials explain that the All American Futurity for quarter horses is equivalent to the Kentucky Derby for thoroughbreds. If the race were to be canceled altogether, it would affect not only the village of Ruidoso but the entire industry, affecting training, breeding, and sales.
Despite the races not being held on home turf, Rodriguez believes that his horse, Political Twist, is ready for competition. “We wanted to give him the best shot for the for the All-American. So we skipped the Rainbow and then the floodings happened. They moved us to Albuquerque. So we’ll see. We’ll see what happens, how he takes it,” Rodriguez said.
This is not his first time with a horse in the Futurity; last year, his other horse, FDD Dreams, finished third overall in the All American. In 2007, he had a horse that won the Futurity.
The trials begin Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the Albuquerque Downs and will conclude on Tuesday. The top five fastest horses from both days will advance to race in the All American Futurity on Labor Day, with a prize purse of $3 million.
