Two raging wildfires in New Mexico that prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents in the tourist town of Ruidoso have also led to the relocation of horses from Ruidoso Downs, located about five miles southeast of town.
The racetrack of Ruidoso Downs, located in the Ruidoso suburb of the same name, hosts both Thoroughbred and higher-level Quarter Horse racing, notably the All American Futurity (G1), the world’s richest Quarter Horse race.
Ismael “Izzy” Trejo, executive director of the New Mexico Racing Commission, said at 10 a.m. MT June 18 NMRC state veterinarian Dr. Victoria Lowe informed him that “horses are being requested to vacate the Ruidoso grounds.”
Earlier in the morning, he had said that tracks and a couple of fairgrounds in the state have “really offered to step up and help” by offering to stable horses leaving Ruidoso.
Citing a conversation he had with trainer Jose A. Gonzalez, Trejo said about 190 horses left Ruidoso the evening of June 17, and “I’m told today the State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque is preparing the facility for the potential intake of hundreds and hundreds of horses.”
Ruidoso is located about 130 miles southeast of Albuquerque.
The village of Ruidoso posted to X Tuesday morning that the two fires were 0% contained overnight. The fires cover an estimated 22 square miles.
He said Gonzalez relayed to him that horsemen “flocked” overnight to the racetrack “as a sanctuary because they’ve been moved from their homes.”
Telephone communications in the area were difficult Tuesday during the fire emergency. Trainer Todd Fincher was reached Tuesday morning as he was driving and had left the area.
“I was in Ruidoso all day yesterday, and I was there this morning. We have no (cell service), so I left. Everything looks good at the track,” he said. “Big fires on both sides of the track, but I think the track is pretty safe. There’s smoke in the air, but not bad smoke at all, barely any, which is good.”
He described mountain ranges on the two sides of the track, and he believes the fires are moving parallel along those ridges.
He was not among the horsemen that moved horses Monday evening.
Trejo said NMRC commission staff had moved out and relocated to different areas such as Albuquerque and Roswell, “safer places in the Ruidoso vicinity that aren’t in jeopardy of the fire at this point in time. So we got our staff out of there, and now our priority is the horsemen and the horses that are located there.
He forwarded a photograph taken by NMRC chief investigator Leasa Johnson from the area showing a massive fire in the distance and smoke filling the sky.
“So, yeah, preparing for the worst, hoping for the best,” Trejo said.
He added there was “bumper-to-bumper traffic getting out there yesterday” among the people leaving the area under mandatory evacuation orders for residents. Outbound traffic is only allowed in one direction on Highway 70 toward Roswell.
Some Roswell locations offered free lodging and accommodations to those displaced by the two fires.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement, strongly urging “residents of Ruidoso and the surrounding areas to remain calm and heed official instructions to help minimize risk.
“I want to thank all first responders and others who are battling these fires, managing the evacuation, and providing crucial emergency services, including the town of Roswell, which rapidly stood up shelter for evacuees. New Mexicans always pull together in times of need, and this time is no different.”
Even if the fires were to subside, Trejo said smoke would make scheduled racing “questionable” later in the week.
Rick Baugh, chief operating officer at Ruidoso Downs, could not be reached for comment. An inbound cell phone call, like those made to numerous horsemen, went to voice mail.
-This story will be updated
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