Ruidoso Downs

One of the Ruidoso area's major attractions, and the one that led to its development as a resort, is the Quarter horse and Thoroughbred racing at Ruidoso Downs. One of the sport's biggest events, the All American Futurity, is held on Labor Day, the final day of the racing season. Tagged the world's richest quarter horse race, the purse exceeds $2 million, it is the final leg of quarter horse racing's Triple Crown. The first two, the Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity and the Rainbow Futurity, take place at Ruidoso Downs in May and July. Policies concerning admittance of children to pari-mutuel betting facilities vary. Arts and crafts and live entertainment are featured during Art Fest USA, on weekends from July 1 through Labor Day.