RUIDOSO DOWNS — Entries have been taken and processed for trials next weekend for the $1-million Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

“We are proceeding with making plans as scheduled,” General Manager Rick Baugh said. “We will make a final decision about when these trial races are held primarily based on the lifting of evacuation orders for the community, but we are hopeful that is next weekend.”

A total of 327 2-year-old quarter horses entered for the Rainbow Futurity trials, which was a slight increase from last year, when 311 quarter horses were entered. The trials will be at 400 yards over two days with the top-five fastest advancing to the final, which is scheduled to be run on Saturday, July 14.

There will be 17 races next Friday and Saturday, with first post scheduled for 11 a.m.

“We appreciate our horse racing media partners like Track Magazine, Speedhorse and Stallionesearch helping us communicate with horsemen that the trials are still scheduled and that we were taking entries,” Baugh said.

Despite severe damage to the west side of the Village of Ruidoso, mainly in the Upper Canyon, Alpine Village and Cedar Creek areas, the race track and barn areas were not impacted by the South Fork and Salt Fires.

“The track is blessed to have not been impacted, but some of our employees lost their homes and we are working to help find them some temporary housing,” Baugh said. “We are very appreciative of the firefighters and first responders including everyone that has kept much of the community protected. Hopefully we will be able to race in the near future to keep our commitment to our horsemen and employees.”

Race track officials and horse trainers at Ruidoso Downs have been working since the emergency began on Monday to ensure the safety of the animals. The horse population on the grounds is about 1,000 — about half of the average. Many trainers have been at the race track non-stop.

“We made arrangements for a complete evacuation of horses Monday night with other race tracks and nearby ranches and were ready just in case that was necessary,” Baugh said. “Some trainers made the decision to evacuate on their own to move their horses and we did our best to accommodate them. We are currently feeding all horsemen and emergency personel in our restaurant cantina daily and doing what we can to assist them while they care for their horses everyday.”

The race track had over 12,000 gallons of water in trucks standing by in case fire was eminent but that was not ever used. Baugh said the only issues that the race track has had to overcome has been some misinformation that was posted on social media about damage to the track and the search for horse trailers that was not necessary.

“The rumors that can develop on social media can make getting truthful information out to people difficult at times,” Baugh said. “We’re working to keep everyone safe including the horses and we hope to continue our horse racing meet as quickly as possible.’