RUIDOSO DOWNS – Sport of Kings? More like Sport of Barons – Cattle Barons, that is.

The road to that most American of races – the annual All American Futurity – gets underway at Ruidoso Downs with the running of the Ruidoso Futurity trials Friday, May 22.

This year’s All American – already the world’s richest Quarter Horse race – gains new notoriety, breaking the $3 million barrier and earning the additional title as the world’s richest 2-year-old race.

“This is a monumental event in the history of quarter horse racing,” said Ruidoso Downs’ general manager Shaun Hubbard. “All of our fans, horsemen and quarter horse racing will benefit. We especially appreciate the owners and trainers who participate in these races.”

The Kentucky Derby – arguably the best-known race on the planet – doles out just $2 million to its participants.

Why so much money this year? Nominations to the Quarter Horse Triple Crown races – the Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American Futurities – are at record numbers. Ruidoso Futurity nominations are up 23 percent from last season, while the Rainbow and All American races are up 16 and 13 percent.

All three races are capped, meaning money is held over to the following years’ derbies for three-year olds.

If the trends continue, the 2016 derbies – Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American – will all top at least $1 million.

With that much money on the line, there’s lots of horses and lots of betting coming to Ruidoso Downs. More than 300 head of horses are entered in 32 trials for the Ruidoso Futurity, to be run over two days this Friday and Saturday.

Trials for the Ruidoso Derby are scheduled for Sunday, featuring last year’s 2-Year-Old Champion and 2014 Ruidoso Futurity winner Kiss My Hocks.

All this money is great for the horse breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys, but what does it mean for the average fan who wants to see some live racing?

It means they’d better come early if they want a good seat. There is no admission charge to the track itself and a majority of seating on the lower level and standing room only area is free.

But there is a charge for covered grandstand seating and boxes, as well as admission to the Turf Club on the third floor. Ticket sales for the Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American weekends are already selling at a brisk pace.

“These figures are another example of the generous support from our fans,” Hubbard said. “We are humbled by this support and very grateful. Our patrons are like our extended family.”

So come and join the family this summer at Ruidoso Downs. Rest assured you’ll see the best Quarter Horse racing in the country, and will witness history in the making.

Ticket sales continue for every race date, including Rainbow weekend July 18-19, Zia Festival weekend July 25-26 and the All American Labor Day weekend.