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Kentucky Derby Heads Biggest Off-Season Week During This Upcoming Week at Ruidoso Downs
Kentucky Derby contender Materiality is owned by Alto Racing is named after Alto, New Mexico, near Ruidoso.

© Sun Sentinal / Michael Laughlin
Kentucky Derby Heads Biggest Off-Season Week During This Upcoming Week at Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—APRIL 26, 2015—The most exciting weekend at Ruidoso Downs outside of the summer racing season is set to start on Thursday and culminate with the participation of the undefeated New Mexico-connected Materiality racing in the $2 million Kentucky Derby on Saturday afternoon.

On Friday, there will be simulcast wagering on the entire card Churchill Downs beginning at 8:30 a.m. and is capped by the running of the $ 1 million Kentucky Oaks.

On Saturday, the Churchill Downs’ first post time is 8:30 a.m. and the Kentucky Derby is the program’s ultimate event. The All American Turf Club will open on Saturday morning with wagering starting at 11 a.m. and food service at noon.

There will be a Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby double offered on Friday and all of Saturday’s races at Churchill Downs will be available for wagering on Friday.

On Thursday, Billy’s Shoot Out Six Handicapping contest will have a guaranteed payout of $1,000. The track will be Belmont Park with an 11:20 a.m. first post time.

The simulcast racing from Churchill Downs starts on Friday with the Kentucky Oaks expected to feature Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks winner Stellar Wind and Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Birdatthewire.

Stellar Wind has won three-consecutive races and has the breeding to relish the one-and-one-eighth miles of the Kentucky Oaks.

Birdatthewire also has distance breeding and won the Gulfstream Park Oaks with a stretch run after the rider tried to restrain her during the early portion of the race.

This year’s Kentucky Derby has been called the most competitive in recent years.

One of the contenders is Alto Racing’s Florida Derby winner Materiality. Alto Racing is named after Alto, New Mexico. Alto is located a few miles north of Ruidoso. Alto Racing is comprised of Eddie Harrell and his family with Gil Moutray and his family. Harrell and Moutray each have homes in Alto and are regular patrons at Ruidoso Downs. Moutray’s father was a charter member of the Ruidoso Downs’ Jockey Club.

Materiality is three-for-three with each of his starts coming this year for trainer Todd Pletcher, whose father J.J. Pletcher won the 1975 Kansas Futurity at Ruidoso Downs with Chick’s Deck. Seven-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher helped his father during the time he raced at Ruidoso Downs.

In the Grade 1 Florida Derby, Materiality earned a 110 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest speed figure of any of the prime Kentucky Derby contenders. The speed figure is determined by the race’s time with consideration of the track’s condition for that race.

The Pletcher barn is loaded and he will also saddle Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes winner Carpe Diem. The Giant’s Causeway son also has wins in the Grade 1 Breeders Futurity and the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby.

Three-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Bob Baffert may have the top-two favorites in the Kentucky Derby with American Pharoah and Dortmund. Baffert came from a quarter horse racing background and raced horses at Ruidoso Downs.

Champion American Pharoah turned the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby into virtual workout with an easy eight-length victory. He previously won the Grade 1 Front Runner Stakes and the Grade 2 Rebel Handicap.

Dortmund is known as much for his emense size as his stellar accomplishments. The big boy has won each of his six starts with Grade 1 wins in the Los Alamitos Futurity and the Santa Anita Derby, his most recent effort. He has been the odds-on favorite in his five latest starts and favored in each start.

Kentucky Derby day at Ruidoso Downs will also offer a contest to pick your favorite derby horse for a chance to win $500, a second chance drawing to win a share of $500 and a derby hat contest.

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.