‘There’s A Lot Of Destruction’: Governor Gives Ruidoso Rebuild Plan Options originally appeared on Paulick Report.
After devastating flash floods swept through the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., on July 8, rebuilding plans are now being considered for the iconic Quarter Horse track, reports KOB4.
“We’ve been assessing everything, we’re still assessing. We lost our jock’s rooms, our tote ward, barns, our test barns. There’s a lot of destruction here,” said the track’s general manager Rick Baugh.
The governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, has presented the track with several rebuilding options. One would move the track north of the Rio Ruidoso (the river currently runs through the infield and barn area), while another would add bridges for flood debris to flow under.
“She’s fully dedicated to get this racetrack back up and going. This racetrack to this area has $160 million of economic impact,” said Baugh.
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The chosen plan will need to be completed by April 2026, in time for horses and horsemen to train in advance of the meet, which traditionally opens Memorial Day weekend.
“We carry that honor, but we carry that burden too, that we’ve got to get this racetrack back and going for all the businesses and Ruidoso,” said Baugh. “They went through a tough time last year, they’re going to go through a tougher time this year, and it’s our job to get this racetrack back up and going so that we can get the economy in Ruidoso back going.”
The flood resulted in the deaths of at least three people and two racehorses.
Prior to the July 8 flood event, both the town of Ruidoso and the racetrack were still recovering from last year’s South Fork and Salt wildfires that left severe burn scars and led to flooding of the racing surface and racing cancellations in 2024.
Ruidoso’s marquee race, the All American Futurity, has again been moved to Albuquerque Downs for the 2025 running.
Read more at KOB4.com.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.