Operator News
US – The Downs on the up with casino launch
By Phil - 7 August 2013
The Downs Racetrack and Casino hosted a grand opening on August 2 to launch its new, state-of-the-art gaming facility and the 2013 live horse racing season in Albuquerque.
The grand opening showcaseed mariachi music throughout the day, provided special promotions for guests, and hosted the season’s first live horse race.
“As the new Casino at The Downs is officially open to Albuquerque residents, we look forward to launching the 2013 live horse racing season and special promotions for our guests,” said Scott Eldredge, chief operating officer at The Downs Racetrack & Casino. “We invited local residents to come out and enjoy the new casino and experience the exciting horse racing and Las Vegas-style gaming available right in the heart of Albuquerque.”
With the opening of the new casino, guests can view the horse races for the first time from the contemporary First Turn Lounge. The patio of the lounge overlooks the first turn of the racetrack and allows a relaxing environment for guests to view and place wagers on each race while enjoying a cocktail or appetizer.
The grand opening also debuted the casino’s August gaming promotions with guests having their first chance to take part in the $104,000 Virtual Downs Derby. Featuring some of the newest technology in gaming, the Virtual Downs Derby automatically shows up on a slot machine’s screen after a guest earns 25 base points on that particular machine in one hour. The
Virtual Downs Derby allows guests to view and wager on a virtual horse race which enters them to win a share of $104,000 in prize money. The promotion debuted at the grand opening and will be available every Friday throughout August. The grand opening celebration will continue on August 10, as The Downs Racetrack & Casino hosts its first mixed martial arts (MMA) fight of the year. The competition will feature some of the top MMA fighters from throughout the southwest competing one of the region’s premier fighting venues. The main event will feature a 135-pound Bantamweight match between Conrad Padilla, from Albuquerque, and Nick Rhoads from Tucson, Ariz.
