RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 24, 2020—This weekend’s Zia Festival racing program celebrates New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses with five Thoroughbred trials on Friday along with 10 stakes races on Saturday and Sunday (see related story).

The Zia Festival culminates with the running of the Grade I Zia Futurity on Sunday where the undefeated Vine Master will try to keep his record perfect. The 400-yard race for 2-year-old Quarter Horses has a purse of $392,547 and will be the featured 9th race on Sunday’s card.

Friday’s trials will feature 23 2-year-old Thoroughbred fillies in three heats that will try to qualify for a spot in the $125,000 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity finals on August 16th.

In addition, there will also be 19 2-year-old colts and geldings that will run to qualify for a spot in the $125,000 Rio Grande Senor Futurity finals which will also take place on August 16th at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

Here is a complete line-up and approximate post times for all stakes races on Saturday and Sunday:

SATURDAY
SIERRA STARLET
6th Race — Approximate Post – 3:10 PM
Purse: $50,000 - 5 ½ Furlongs - 3-year-old & up fillies

ZIA HANDICAP (RG2)
7th Race — Approximate Post – 3:36 PM
Purse: $50,000 - 400 Yards - 3-year-old & up

ZIA QH DERBY (GII)
9th Race — Approximate Post – 4:28 PM
Purse: $183,073 - 400 Yards - 3-year-olds

SUNDAY ZIA 870 CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Race — Approximate Post – 1:00 PM
Purse: $50,000 - 870 Yards - 3-year-old & up

LAND OF ENCHANTMENT STAKES
3rd Race — Approximate Post – 1:52 PM
Purse: $50,000 - 7 ½ Furlongs - 3-year-old & up

SIERRA BLANCA HANDICAP
5th Race — Approximate Post – 2:44 PM
Purse: $50,000 - 5 ½ Furlongs - 3-year-old & up

ROAD RUNNER HANDICAP
6th Race — Approximate Post – 3:10 PM
Purse: $50,000 - 5 ½ Furlongs - 3-year-old fillies

ZIA QH JUVENILE
7th Race — Approximate Post – 3:38 PM
Purse: $50,000 - 400 Yards - 2-year-olds

LINCOLN HANDICAP
8th Race — Approximate Post – 4:02 PM
Purse: $50,000 - 6 Furlongs - 3-year-old fillies & mares

ZIA FUTURITY (GI)
9th Race — Approximate Post – 4:28 PM
Purse: $392,547 - 400 Yards - 2-year-olds

Saturday also features the inaugural Zia Festival Handicapping Challenge. For an entry fee of $60, individuals get a table for four in the Turf Club, and they will handicap five races – three at Ruidoso Downs, one at Saratoga and one at Del Mar. At the conclusion of this live wager contest, the player with the largest account balance will win a $200 betting voucher. Interested players can pre-register online or onsite on Saturday.

Post time is 1:00 PM MDT on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At this time, the Turf Club and the Jockey Club are limited to 50% capacity due to the Public Health Order from the State of New Mexico.

For more information on how to watch online, place your bet with your favorite online wagering provider, or conduct drive-thru wagering, please visit href='https://www.raceruidoso.com'>www.raceruidoso.com.

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For the latest Ruidoso Downs information, go to www.raceruidoso.com, visit the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino Facebook page and follow Ruidoso Downs on Twitter @RuidosoDowns and on Instagram.