A 2-year-old quarter horse named Tuckk just started its racing career on May 22, but the colt already has a place in New Mexico horse racing history.

The sorrel colt won Race No. 1 with jockey Raul Ramirez Jr. aboard at Ruidoso Downs as live racing returned for the New Mexico horse racing industry, which suddenly went dark in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The horse’s win in the first trail for the upcoming 2020 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity was celebrated in the winner’s circle without the usual pomp and circumstance.

“Things are different today, we are opening without a crowd. And if you’ve ever been to Ruidoso Downs you’ll  know that the crowd is a big part of what we do here,” said Jeff True, president and general manager of the Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino.

“We’re so happy to be here though. It’s a big part of the New Mexico economy and it’s certainly a big part of Lincoln County.”

Read more here: https://www.ruidosonews.com/story/news/local/2020/05/22/coronavirus-reopening-ruidoso-downs-horse-racing-opens-no-spectators/5240421002/