RUIDOSO – A trio of Grade 1 races highlight the closing weekend of live quarter horse and thoroughbred racing at Ruidoso Downs, headlined by the richest quarter horse in the world, the $3 million All American Futurity.

In addition, fans in the state of New Mexico can also celebrate the opening weekend of live racing at Albuquerque Downs, which opened for its 85th season of racing on Friday.

Here’s a glance at some of this weekend’s biggest races.

Dark NME, winner of the Rainbow Futurity this season and unbeaten in six career starts, has been installed as the even-money favorite for Monday’s Grade 1 All American Futurity.

The daughter of Hes Relentless, already a two-time stakes winner with earnings of more than $775,000, easily beat her eight rivals in a trial heat on Friday, Aug. 11, one of 32 races held that weekend which determine the entrants for the world’s richest quarter horse race, which will be run for the 65th time on Monday.

Drawn in Post 2 for the All American, Dark NME will be ridden by jockey Francisco Calderon, who has a commanding lead atop the quarter horse jockey standings heading into the final weekend of the season.

Dark NME is trained by Santos Carrizales, Jr., currently in a tie for fourth atop the quarter horse trainer standings.

The field for Monday’s $3 million All American Futurity

1. Sandstone Mountain (Scratched)

2. Dark Nme (Even)

3. Flying Rabbit 123 (20-1)

4. Dashing Tres (9-2)

5. Corner Pocket 123 (15-1)

6. Cuz Lightyear (15-1)

7. AJ Precious Jewel (6-1)

8. Devastating (12-1)

9. Cowboy Gun Z (9-2)

10. Trane Station V (8-1)

Changes are being implemented at Ruidoso Downs as it relates to the starters in some of this weekend’s biggest races.

In response to a series of equine fatalities at Ruidoso Downs in recent weeks, the New Mexico Racing Commission announced last week that a detention barn would house starters solely for the All American Oaks, All American Derby and All American Futurity.

In addition, there will be more surveillance cameras and tougher screening processes for people going in and out of the barn area as well as closer monitoring of horse's blood work and medications.

Less than two weeks ago, six horses died at the track, and overall there have been just more than 30 deaths at Ruidoso Downs, according to New Mexico Racing Commission officials.

“We have to work in unity to help solve the issue,” NMRC Executive Director Izzy Trejo said. “The safety of the horse is most important. We're not here to point fingers or pass judgment, we are focused on solutions.”

First post time for the All American Futurity program is noon with the race scheduled to reach the starting gate about 4:50 p.m.

Sunday’s Grade 1 All American Derby features 10 of the region’s finest 3-year-old quarter horses racing 440 yards. The morning line favorite Sicario V and the morning line’s second choice Delight Interest both drew outside posts in the contest.

Owned by the Valeriano Racing Stables, LLC., Sicario V has won five straight races including scores in the Rainbow Derby and Ruidoso Invitational earlier this season. The California-bred son of Favorite Cartel drew the 10 post with Calderon on board for Carrizales and has been installed as the early favorite at 5-to-2 odds.

Just to his inside is Delight Interest, who earned the role of the race’s fastest qualifier when trials were held here on Aug. 13. Owned by the Triple Five Stables and trained by Toby Keeton, Delight Interest will be ridden by Juan Pulido. The Oklahoma-bred son of Seperate Interest is the 7-to-2 second choice on the board.

For complete information on the field for the All American Derby, check out the official entries at equibase.com. The race features a purse of just a shade under $1.2 million and will go as the 10th on the card with a scheduled post time of 4:50 p.m.

Just prior to the All American Derby, 3-year-old fillies will line up for the $714,734 All American Oaks.

Cool Ya Jets, a six-time winner from 11 lifetime starts and unbeaten in three starts this year, has been installed as the 5-to-2 morning line favorite for owner Pete Scarmardo and trainer John Stinebaugh.

The daughter of Jet Black Patriot earned her first career stakes win when she captured the Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Oaks on July 15. She will break from post five in the 10-horse field and will be ridden by Calderon, who was also aboard when she won her trial heat here on Aug. 13.

A field of six older thoroughbred sprinters will race six furlongs in the $70,000 guaranteed JR Malouff Stakes on Saturday at the Downs at Albuquerque.

Led by last year’s Malouff Stakes winner Competitive Idea, the Malouff Stakes will go as the fifth race on a 10-race program which has a first post time of 6:05 p.m.

Owned by The Luxury Group Racing LLC, Competitive Idea is trained by Sherry Armstrong and has eight wins from 28 career starts. The Kentucky-bred son of Competitive Edge finished ninth in his most recent start, the $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup on March 11 at Turf Paradise. Prior to that start, Competitive Idea was a winner in the Fort Bliss Stakes at Sunland Park on Jan. 29.

Luis Fuentes has the call aboard Competitive Idea in the Malouff Stakes, who drew the rail and has been installed as the 3-to-1 second choice on the morning line.

Three of the top four finishers from last year’s Albuquerque Distaff Handicap will be back in the starting gate once again when a field of seven older fillies and mares square off in Sunday’s renewal of the $70,000 event.

Revenoor Woman, upset winner of the Albuquerque Distaff last year, will be back in the starting gate for trainer Andres Gonzales and jockey Karlo Lopez. They’ll be joined by Raneem, who was second in last year’s race as well as fourth place finisher Gemstone Gal in the seven furlong contest.

Gemstone Gal will be one of two starters in the Albuquerque Distaff for Armstrong, who will also saddle For Love Not Money. Gemstone Gal drew the outside post and will be ridden by Luis Fuentes while For Love Not Money will have Alejandro Medellin in the saddle, breaking from Post 2.

The Albuquerque Distaff will go as the ninth race on the Sunday card and has a post time of 4:50 p.m.

Fans can watch and wager from races from New Mexico and across America at SunRay Park and Casino.