RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 1, 2019—A team of athletes representing all three of New Mexico’s Air Force bases — Holloman, Kirtland and Cannon Air Force bases — will appear at Ruidoso Downs Race Track on Saturday, August 10th in the first "Battle of the Bases" competition.

"We’re looking forward to hosting the competition on the race track," Ruidoso Downs’ president and general manager Jeff True said. "This promises to be something that’s never been done before in New Mexico and we’re very proud to be able to host and honor our military."

There will be about a dozen athletes representing each base in the competition that includes push-ups, sit-ups, an obstacle course, a 100-yard sprint and a one-mile relay from the starting gate. The competition’s grand finale will be a tug-of-war between the top-two teams that have competed throughout the day.

"The athletes will be competing to score points for their team," True said. "The two teams that accumulate the most points will meet in the in the tug-of-war."

The team that wins the "Battle of the Bases" receives a large traveling trophy to take home, plus a $1,000 donation to their base’s exercise facility from Ruidoso Downs. The second- and third-place teams will each receive a $500 donation.

"We hope this competition becomes an annual event for our Air Force bases in New Mexico," True said. "We want to pay tribute to all our military and veterans for their service, and we hope that this competition becomes a much anticipated event for everyone."

Each base will be offered a special "cheering section" for all active military and their families who attend the races on Saturday, August 10th. Billy the Kid Casino will be offering $20 in free slot play to all active military and their families over the age of 21 who show their military identification.

The competition will be held during the 10-race card that day. The first competition is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. and will continue through the day’s races until the tug-of-war finale is held after the 9th race at approximately 5 p.m.

General admission and parking is free for the event. For more information, call (575) 378-4431 or visit www.raceruidoso.com

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