The Sandia Mountains

The Downs Racetrack & Casino

ThoroughbredQuarter HorseDirt
Official site ↗Directions ↗Hotels nearby ↗

The Downs Racetrack & Casino is a thoroughbred and quarter horse racetrack in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It opened in 1938, making it 88 years old in 2026.

Its signature races are the Downs at Albuquerque Fall QH Championship (QH G1) and New Mexico State Fair Futurity (QH).

With Ruidoso Downs out of action after 2025 flooding, the track hosted Ruidoso's 2026 meet, including the All American Futurity.

Track facts

Location
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Racing
Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse
Surfaces
Dirt
Opened
1938
Racing season
Late August–October (incl. NM State Fair meet); hosted the Ruidoso Downs meet May–Sept 2026
Operator
The Downs at Albuquerque

Signature races at The Downs Racetrack & Casino

Race day

When to go. Live racing runs late August–October (incl. NM State Fair meet); hosted the Ruidoso Downs meet May–Sept 2026. Check the official site for post times and the current stakes schedule.

The view. Our illustration shows the Sandia Mountains in the background.

Getting there. Directions to The Downs Racetrack & Casino and parking nearby.

Plan your trip to The Downs Racetrack & Casino

Hotels near The Downs Racetrack & CasinoBook a stay for race day on ExpediaRace schedule & post timesLive racing dates and stakesParkingLots near the trackDirectionsMap to The Downs Racetrack & CasinoTours & things to do in AlbuquerqueSightseeing, tours and more on ExpediaFood & drinks nearbySpots to eat before or after the races

Tracks near The Downs Racetrack & Casino10

  1. 1ThoroughbredSunRay Park & Casino — San Juan County Commissioners Handicap (Farmington, New Mexico)144 mi
  2. 2ThoroughbredSunland Park Racetrack & Casino — Sunland Park Derby (Sunland Park, New Mexico)226 mi
  3. 3ThoroughbredZia Park Casino, Hotel & Racetrack — Zia Park Derby (Hobbs, New Mexico)256 mi
  4. 4ThoroughbredTurf Paradise — Turf Paradise Derby (Phoenix, Arizona)330 mi
  5. 5ThoroughbredBally's Arapahoe Park — Gold Rush Futurity (Aurora, Colorado)331 mi
  6. 6ThoroughbredWyoming Downs — Wyoming Downs Derby (Evanston, Wyoming)490 mi
  7. 7ThoroughbredRemington Park — Oklahoma Derby (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)514 mi
  8. 8ThoroughbredLone Star Park — Steve Sexton Mile (Grand Prairie, Texas)572 mi
  9. 9ThoroughbredFonner Park — Gus Fonner Stakes (Grand Island, Nebraska)602 mi
  10. 10ThoroughbredCherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs — Route 66 Stakes (Claremore, Oklahoma)625 mi

Questions about The Downs Racetrack & Casino

Where is The Downs Racetrack & Casino?

The Downs Racetrack & Casino is in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

What kind of racing is at The Downs Racetrack & Casino?

The Downs Racetrack & Casino hosts thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. Live racing runs late August–October (incl. NM State Fair meet); hosted the Ruidoso Downs meet May–Sept 2026.

When did The Downs Racetrack & Casino open?

The Downs Racetrack & Casino opened in 1938.

What is the biggest race at The Downs Racetrack & Casino?

The signature race at The Downs Racetrack & Casino is the Downs at Albuquerque Fall QH Championship (QH G1).

What other racetracks are near The Downs Racetrack & Casino?

The closest is SunRay Park & Casino in Farmington, New Mexico, about 144 miles away. See the full list of nearby tracks on this page.

Facts are for the 2026 racing season. Distances are straight-line miles. The illustration is original artwork, not a photo. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your track? Get the “Listed on HorsetrackAtlas.com” badge for your website.