RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JANUARY 5, 2018—A monumental step forward for three-year-old quarter horse racing will occur this summer at Ruidoso Downs when the $1-million All American Triple Crown Derby Bonus is offered to the connections of any horse that can win the track’s three Grade 1 derbies.

Those three Grade 1 derbies are the $750,000 (est.) Ruidoso Derby at 400 yards, the $750,000 (est.) Rainbow Derby at 440 yards and the $1-million (est.) All American Derby at 440 yards.

Additionally, in 2018, Ruidoso Downs will offer a $2-million All American Triple Crown Futurity Bonus for the connections of any horse that can win the Grade 1, $1-million (est.) Ruidoso Futurity, The Grade 1, $1-million (est.) Rainbow Futurity and the Grade 1, $3-million (est.) All American Futurity, quarter horse racing’s showcase event. The winner’s share from each race plus the bonus would total $4.3-million.

"The new Triple Crown bonus program provides yet another incentive for all two- and three-year-olds to join the best horses at Ruidoso Downs each summer. The derby bonus is an effort to keep three-year-olds pointing at the lucrative purses in these iconic stakes," said Ruidoso Downs president and general manager Jeff True.

"The Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American futurities and derbies will pay more than $7-million in total purses and this bonus program ups that ante to more than $10-million. We expect to continue this bonus program and hope to pay it to fortunate owners on multiple occasions."

World champion Special Effort is the only horse to win each of the futurities. That was before any bonus existed. There have been three horses sweep the three derbies — My Easy Credit (1977), Dash For Speed (1988) and Dm Shicago (2005). My Easy Credit and Dash For Speed won the Kansas Derby, the predecessor of the Ruidoso Derby.

"These bonuses, along with our relentless effort to enhance the integrity of Ruidoso Downs’ racing, are all integral parts of an unforgettable fan experience," said True.

The nomination payment of $250 for the 2019 All American, Rainbow and Ruidoso futurities is due on January 15. That single payment nominates the foal of 2017 to each of the futurities. A foal of 2017 that becomes paid up to run in the 2019 futurities can then continue payments for the 2020 derbies. For further information, call 575-378-7224.

The futurity and derby bonus programs are pending approval of the New Mexico Racing Commission.

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.