RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—APRIL 14, 2015—Ticket sales for the summer season at Ruidoso Downs that begins on May 22 are off to a blazing start.

This is a strong signal that anyone wishing tickets for this summer’s racing should plan early and call 575.378.4140 for reservations.

Tickets for Labor Day weekend – which features the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity, the Grade 1, $2.3 million (est.) All American Derby and the Grade 1, $200,000 All American Gold Cup – go on sale on the first Monday in April. That was April 6 this year.

Tickets for all racing days go on sale the first Tuesday of April.

Total ticket sales, through April 15, are up 35.5 percent over 2014 and up 39.5 percent over 2013.

The Labor Day weekend sales were up 48.5 percent over 2013 on the day they went on sale. This could be due to the fact that there are Grade 1 races on each of the three days Saturday through Monday – on Labor Day weekend and the All American Futurity now has the largest purse of any two-year-old horserace in the world at $3 million.

“These figures are another example of the generous support from our fans,” said general manager Shaun Hubbard. “We are humbled by this support and very grateful. Our patrons are like our extended family.

“This impressive increase in ticket sales is also a positive predictor for all of our friends that comprise the local business community. We want them to thrive.”

The summer season starts on May 22 with the first of two days of trials to the Grade 1, $750,000 Ruidoso Futurity. The Ruidoso Futurity trials start Memorial Day weekend at Ruidoso Downs.

Tickets are on sale for Ruidoso Futurity/Derby weekend (June 6-7), Rainbow Futurity/Derby weekend (July 18-19), Zia Festival weekend (July 25-26) and every other racing date.

Racing at Ruidoso Downs runs on a Friday through Monday schedule.

The complete schedule is at www.raceruidoso.com and for the stakes schedule click on the 2015 Racing Schedule on the front page of the website.

For complete Ruidoso Downs’ information, go to www.raceruidoso.com, visit the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino Facebook page and follow the Ruidoso Press Box (@RuiPressBox) on Twitter.