Ruidoso Downs Race Track working around the clock to repair damage from summer flooding
RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. (KRQE) – Rebuilding after devastating burn scar flooding. The Ruidoso Downs racetrack is trying to bring horse racing back to its renowned southeast New Mexico facility by spring. 'Well, the clock's ticking,' said Tim Keithley, director of marketing for Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino.
Story continues below
Breaking: Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, his wife, dog found dead in their NM home
Behind bars: Man on most wanted list for more than four decades caught in NM
Crime: Deming kids forced to live in 'underground caves' alongside feces, per court docs
Video: Carlsbad man confesses to killing baby in late 2023
It's a different kind of race at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino after destructive burn scar flooding from the South Fork Wildfire. This latest race is tied to big machinery working fast to repair and replace culverts on the end field to hopefully bring back horse racing by May. 'We have already hauled 100,000 cubic yards of dirt and debris out of the racetrack. So that's a lot of work being done, and it's probably a little bit less than halfway to go,' said Keithley.
The Ruidoso Downs said the fires and floods from last year caused them to close down for the first time and move the race meets from the Ruidoso Downs to Albuquerque. Now, they're saying they're working around the clock to make sure that doesn't happen again. 'Without quarter horse racing, the businesses, even last summer, reported a 50 to 70 percent decline in business revenue, so we need to race so that the community can have tourism and bring those Texans over to spend some money with us,' said Keithley.
Still worried about potential flooding this year, they said for now it will switch to using just one side of the track for quarter horse racing. They expect the entire track to be fully repaired by Memorial Day. 'It'll be fixed and ready to go because you have to, even though we're not running thoroughbreds, you have to be ready to train all horses, including quarter horses,' said Keithley
Because the Rio Ruidoso runs through the middle of the track, The Downs said it's working with both state and federal officials to coordinate the project. They don't have a total cost estimate on the project so far.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
35 minutes ago
- USA Today
PFF believes Texans have a top-three QB-WR duo in 2025 with C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins
PFF believes Texans have a top-three QB-WR duo in 2025 with C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins Nico Collins is regarded as a consensus top 10 receiver and the go-to target for the Houston Texans' passing game. C.J. Stroud might have had his slumps at times in 2024, but he's still a rising standout entering Year 3. Combined, where does the duo rank among QB-WR tandems for the 2025? According to Pro Football Focus, the back-to-back AFC South champions may feature an elite combination in the passing game that could take the league by storm this fall. PFF recently ranked every team's top QB/WR/TE duo entering the upcoming season. To no surprise, Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase led the way after leading the league in passing and receiving yards last season. At No. 2, Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown catapulted several duos following their route to winning a Super Bowl over the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans. At No. 3? Collins and Stroud cemented themseleves as the next great duo and could be coming for the second spot if both can stay healthy. "Stroud's 2024 campaign was largely the same as his rookie year in terms of PFF grade (80.4 PFF passing grade in 2023 compared to 77.5 in 2024), and Nico Collins has been his safety blanket," PFF's Trevor Sikkema wrote. "Collins has generated a 117.8 passer rating when targeted over the past two seasons with Stroud, which ranks sixth in the NFL." Collins, who signed a three-year extension ahead of the 2024 season, was well on his way to leading the league in receptions and receiving yards before a hamstring injury sidelined him for five games. He still managed to finish with over 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while leading Houston in every category. Part of Stroud's "sophomore slump" was caused by the lack of consistent weapons. Collins wasn't the only receiver to miss multiple games, leaving the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year out to dry. Tank Dell missed three games and likely won't return in 2025 after undergoing multiple leg surgeries. Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs was out after eight games because of a torn ACL. Stroud looks to be the next big name and a consensus top-seven quarterback beyond this season. Collins could become an elite playmaker and find his name alongside Chase, Justin Jefferson and Brown in the future. PFF might not be sold that Stroud is ready to be considered "elite" but the publication knows Houston has something cooking in the passing game this fall.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Texans CB Kamari Lassiter 'hates Florida' but loves new Gator teammate CJ. Gardner-Johnson
Texans CB Kamari Lassiter 'hates Florida' but loves new Gator teammate CJ. Gardner-Johnson Kamari Lassiter hates the University of Florida, but he loves what C.J. Gardner-Johnson will bring to the Houston Texans' secondary this fall. It's expected for the second-year cornerback out of Georgia to despise his rival school, especially after the dominance in recent years from the Bulldogs in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville. Still, talent comes from the Southeastern Conference each year. Once in the league, the only colors that matter are the ones on Sundays. Lassiter knows that despite being a Gator, Gardner-Johnson adds a spark to a secondary looking to become the top unit in 2025. "He's one hell of a ball player. He really understands the game. He's played for a long time and he comes with his own energy," Lassiter said following Tuesday's OTA practice. "He just comes with his own passion and it affects the players around him. You can see, just watching this film, how his energy and how he talks and how he plays the game, it affects people around him, whether it's on the opposite side of the ball or whether it's on his side of the ball.' Acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Keynon Green and a 2026 fifth-round pick, Gardner-Johnson should provide more stability opposite second-year starter Calen Bullock. He also joins a group of veterans in a young core who understand the pathway toward postseason success, including Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, All-Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Last season, Houston put together a pass defense that ranked sixth in passing yards allowed (201) and 13th in scoring defense (21.9). Gardner-Johnson, who totaled 12 interceptions during two seasons with the Eagles in 2022 and 2024, should be a welcome name to a unit that finished top three in turnovers last season. While Florida and Georgia fans can't coexist, Lassiter is sure that he and Gardner-Johnson can put down the conference hatred in college if it leads to a conference title in the NFL. The Texans open the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Ryan Coogler Confirms Denzel Washington Has a Part in 'Black Panther 3'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Back in March, "Sinners" director Ryan Coogler reacted to Denzel Washington's public statements about appearing in "Black Panther 3" and while it was something Coogler seemed excited about, he stopped just shy of confirming it. Now, Coogler has confirmed not only that he has talked to Washington about showing up in "Black Panther 3", but that he has written a role specifically for the two-time Oscar-winning star. Read More: James Gunn Wants Peacemaker to Fight Batman Appearing on "7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony", Coogler was asked if there had been conversations with Washington or if he was writing a role specifically for the actor. Coogler's answer: "All of that. All of the above, bro." Denzel Washington poses at the opening night after party for "Othello" on Broadway at Tavern on The Green on March 23, 2025 in New York City. Denzel Washington poses at the opening night after party for "Othello" on Broadway at Tavern on The Green on March 23, 2025 in New York City. Bruce Glikas/WireImage He went on to praise Washington, saying, "I think he's the greatest living actor. And in terms of what he means to our culture, forget about it. I've been talking to him about this for a long time." Coogler's confirmation that he's written a part for Washington shouldn't be too much of a surprise. Back in March, Coogler said "Yeah, I've been dying to work with Denzel, man, and I'm hoping we can make that happen." "I have every intention of working with him in ['Black Panther 3']. As long as he itches to do it, it's gonna happen. You know, he's a living legend and a great mentor for so many of us. He's all about looking out for us now." As far as who exactly Denzel Washington would play in "Black Panther 3", Coogler is keeping that to himself. That hasn't stopped fans from speculating, of course, with some even guessing his character might be from another part of Marvel's multiverse and could be a variant of T'Challa's father T'Chaka, or perhaps even T'Challa himself. One popular fan-casting is the villain Achebe, who was created as a kind of eccentric mix between Kaiser Soze of "The Usual Suspects" fame and the Joker. Not possessed of any special abilities, Achebe instead manipulates his ways into political power in Wakanda. Very little is known about "Black Panther 3" including whether or not it has a firm release date. Letitia Wright is expected to reprise the role of Shuri for the film, potentially appearing alongside Denzel Washington. More Comics: James Gunn Teases 'Superman' Cameo in 'Peacemaker' Captain America: Brave New World Finally Has a Disney+ Free Streaming Date
