United States
New Mexico (NM)
Ruidoso Downs
Things to Do in Ruidoso Downs
Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Ruidoso Downs Race Track: Address, Phone Number, Ruidoso Downs Race Track Reviews: 4/5

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Ruidoso Downs Race Track

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Ruidoso Downs Race Track
4
86
#2 of 7 things to do in Ruidoso Downs
Casinos • Horse Tracks
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About
Racetrack that is the home to the world's richest quarter-horse race.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
23 within 3 miles
Billy's Sports Bar and Grill
22
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pub
Billy the Kid
24
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Billy
5
0.4 miAmerican
Jorge's Cafe
236
0.8 mi$ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Vegetarian Friendly
Denny's
162
1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Diner • Vegetarian Friendly
Disco Taco
34
1.1 mi$ • Mexican • Latin • Spanish
Chef Lupe's Cafe
2
1 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican
K-BOB's Steak House Ruidoso
319
1.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Steakhouse • Bar
Chileo's
27
1.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Mexican
McDonald's
27
1.3 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast Food
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Attractions
21 within 6 miles
Ruidoso Downs Race Track
255
171 ftHorse Tracks
Hubbard Museum of the American West
197
0.7 miSpeciality Museums
Free Spirits at Noisy Water
81
0.6 miMonuments & Statues
Billy the Kid Scenic Byways Visitors Center
39
0.7 miVisitor Centers
Noisy Water Winery
167
Wineries & Vineyards
Pillow's Funtrackers
127
2.8 miAmusement & Theme Parks
Grindstone Lake
148
Bodies of Water
Grindstone Lake Trail
45
Hiking Trails
Mechem Drive
56
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Two Rivers Fairy Trail
5
2.7 miNature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
86 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
29
Average
16
Poor
0
Terrible
4
LoveTravel3941
5 contributions
Best Western Pine Springs Inn
We stayed at the Pine Springs Inn/Best Western right across the street from Ruidoso Downs race track. It was beautiful. The park-like courtyard at the motel was great. It was refresing to stay at a motel and step out of our room and be treated with a gorgeous view from the side of a pine-covered mountan and a beautiful peaceful park-like interior courtyard instead of the typical concrete parking lot common at most motels. It felt like a resort. The kids loved the outdoor heated pool and I enjoyed the view from the observation deck suurounding the pool.

If we had been as lucky on selecting horses at the track as we were on selecting our accomodations, it would have been awesome !

Had a great time !
Written July 17, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
natehed144
Santa Fe, NM319 contributions
Fun place for a day
Jun 2015 • Friends
Kids: will love the horses, but may get bored. There's a small arcade with a handful of older games, some little trinket shops scattered around, cool old western themed restaurant on the eastern side, plenty of fair-food (dogs, popcorn etc., avoid the hamburgers).

Adults: $5 + tip valet parking to get close, it's a little hike for free parking but not too bad. General admission is free but not always covered, would advise you bring sunscreen, especially if bringing younguns. Boxes aren't too bad, depending on your price point and how busy it is you can make it into the Turf Club or Jockey Club (Jockey has a dress code and separate valet parking). Food in both clubs is pretty good, atmosphere is a little more upper scale/expensive in the Jockey Club. Place specializes in quarter horse races, generally around 9-10 races a day except trials days (up to 22-25 races). Plenty of places to drink and gamble, prepare to see lots of people well on their way to intoxication. Billy the Kid restaurant/casino has pretty decent food, but is definitely the lesser of Ruidoso's casinos (no live dealers/tables). If coming on a busy weekend parking and general admission will fill up fast, and you'll need a reservation well in advance for either club
Written September 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mel F
29 contributions
The Jockey Club Made This A Very Special Event
Aug 2017 • Family
We were privileged to attend a recent race day, with the Jockey Club available to us. The Concierge, Patrick, was most attentive, the food and drinks were excellent, and, of course, the horses were magnificent.
Written August 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
heeleraddict
Kansas13 contributions
Would not waste time or money to go again
Sep 2014 • Couples
This track has been on my bucket list of places to go. I was SOOOO disappointed. I have been to Remington Park in OKC, Lone Star in Texas and Eureka Downs in Kansas (a VERY SMALL track). All these parks are three times nicer than Ruidoso. It was old and run down, lines were long and you could not get to the window in time to make bets because the tellers were so slow. My fiance' used to run horses there 20 years ago so he thought it would be fun to visit there again. He said it hasn't changed or been updated at all since he was there last in 1980's. I went up to the jockey club and it was unbelievable HOT up there. There is no where in the shade to sit unless you want to pay at least $10-40 per seat. Parking is the WORST!!!! On the second day of the meet we got there a little late and they made us park over 1/2 mile away in a PASTURE and walk (I had on heels), so I was NOT happy. We were told Valet parking was full. The tram picked us up about half way in and I counted around SIXTY empty parking spots between where the tram picked us up and the entrance to the building. The tram was no where to be found when the races were over. If you want to go to a nice track where you can bet on the race that getting ready to run go to Remington Park in OKC. BEAUTIFUL place compared to this track. Weather was beautiful and scenery was great, track was disappointing.
Written September 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MargoSpencer
Rockport, TX183 contributions
Great Afternoon Fun
Aug 2019
Great way to spend the afternoon if you like horse racing. We got the reserved seats ($15) one day and the Jockey Club ($25) the next. JC comes with valet parking included. Non reserved general admission is free and they have a free parking lot too.
Written August 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SonicBob
Concord, NC31 contributions
They Have It All
Oct 2018
Only place for many miles with live horse racing during the year, horse racing simulcasting everyday and a casino to boot! Friendly people and great service will make your day relaxing and fun. You got to give it a try when you're in the area.
Written October 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Margie V
San Antonio, TX5 contributions
Race track for horses!
Jun 2018 • Couples
Went down to the horse racing but they were not racing that afternoon. We decided to go in anyway and had some food and drinks. We notice that people were betting on the horses on tv so we enjoyed betting also. It was awesome.
Written June 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
goingplaces01
San Angelo, TX17 contributions
horse races
Jun 2015 • Family
not a gambler but went to check it out so probably won't be a good person to give an appropriate rating for the place...however enjoyed seeing the horses & watching the races...
Written July 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Robert S
Chandler, AZ28 contributions
Playing the Ponies on a budget
Jul 2014 • Couples
I've been to a racetrack maybe twice before in my life, not being a particular fan of the King of Sports. But in Ruidoso, I had no choice as my lady friend is more of a gambler and at one time was a regular at Emerald Downs in Seattle. It turned out to be a great afternoon, although it won't make me a fan anywhere else. That's because I suspect, Ruidoso Downs is somewhat unique. The first is the quarter horse races, the first four or five races of the day. Blink and its over, but it was fun watching them charge down the track. This is followed by nine or so stakes races. I got talked by my lady friend into waging two dollar bets. Well I had to pick good prospects somehow, so what I did was inspect the horses (tried "whispering" them) in the parade to post. By their demeanor picked out ones that I thought really wanted to win, regardless of odds. I bet on favorites, I bet on long shots, and was in the money seven of nine races. Like a coward, I bet a real long shot to place and he came in a winner. Maybe it was a fluke, but who knows. But like I said, I'm not a gambler nor a horse aficionado, so Ruidoso Downs may be my last visit to a track for some time. But if I'm in Ruidoso again, I definitely will be up for a return visit. One last thing for those on a budget. No entry fee, very informal, that afternoon hot dogs were a buck on special, etc. Ruidoso is a great vacation destination, the Downs, Lincoln City of Billy the Kid notoriety, casinos, lots of tourist shops with semi-reasonable prices, and several golf courses. .
Written September 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Joel C
Marietta, GA172 contributions
Fun, Fun, Fun
Aug 2014 • Couples
I used to go to this track with my parents and grandparents as a little boy, and this was my first time back at the races in over 30 years. What fun my wife and I had. The only downside to the day we were there was, it rained, hard and so the track was quite sloppy. But, a day spent at the races here was fun, the betting windows were staffed by very nice and helpful people and the people at the vending areas were also very nice. We had a Frito pie for lunch, which was just great! If you are up for a day at the horse races, you cannot go wrong by spending a day here!
Written August 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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