Ruidoso Downs - Ruidoso, New Mexico - Small Town with a Big Race Track

With a population of about 2,500 residents, the town of Ruidoso Downs is a growing community due east of Ruidoso, New Mexico on U.S. Highway 70. It prides itself on having a variety of big city amenities while retaining a distinctive small New Mexico town atmosphere.

The town is perhaps best known for its world-class thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing, as the home of Ruidoso Downs Race Track since 1947. The track hosts live "racing in the mountains'' annually from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. With the exception of a few holidays, special meets, and horse sales, the summer races are held every Thursday through Sunday with post time at 1pm.

Other attractions in the area include the Hubbard Museum of the American West opened in 1992 and the Billy the Kid Casino, operating daily since 1999 with over 600 slot machines. Also, for the past eight years or so, Cowboys Riding Stables has been offering scenic trail rides amid the ponderosa and pinyon pine trees of neighboring Lincoln National Forest.

Serving visitors to Ruidoso Down are several chain hotels, such as Days Inn, La Quinta Inn & Suites, and Ramada, all on Highway 70. Restaurants here include Denny's, Disco Taco, and Bradley D's, to name just a few.