It's "Real Quiet" Now !
Santa Fe Downs no
longer has the sound of hoofbeats on the grounds just the haggling of
bargain shoppers at the flea market it has become but in 1997 the sound
of thundering hoofs was alive and well. On a spring day a horse named
"Real Quiet" trained by Bob Baffert showed up for the 250,000 dollar
Indian Nations Futurity Cup. Not quite ready yet he finished third. From
there both the track and horse went in opposite directions. Santa Fe
never re-opened in 1998 as for "Real Quiet" was beaten a nose in the
Belmont Stakes denying him from becoming the first triple crown winner
in over twenty years.
There was an effort to return racing to Santa Fe around 2000. The State of New Mexico was going to grant one more racino license the choice was between another long time shuttered track La Mesa in Raton. The Raton track got the nod and a second chance at life, Santa Fe remained Quiet