| NIGHTLY NEWS Turf Paradise Derby Turf Paradise Phoenix, Arizona February 20, 2016 Race #07 Purse $53,800 1-1/16 Miles 1:44.86 Hal J. Earnhardt III, Owner Dan McFarlane, Trainer David Lopez, Jockey Gunfire (2nd) Arizona Moon (3rd) $3.60 $2.80 $2.10 Order of Finish - 5, 2, 4, 1 Please Give Photo Credit To: / Coady Photography |
A quarantine has been lifted at Turf Paradise which prevented horses from leaving or entering the stable area since January 28th. In cooperation with the track, the Arizona Department of Agriculture declared a 21 day quarantine at the stable area meaning no horses in and no horses out because of the Equine Herpes Virus. That quarantine was lifted today, February 18th. The virus does not impact humans. In late January three horses were transported from Sunland Park Race Track in New Mexico to Turf Paradise. When word broke of an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus at Sunland, Turf immediately had the three horses moved to isolated pens a half a mile from the main stable population of 1700 horses. One of those three horses tested positive and died of the virus. The other two horses show no signs of illness. No other horses at Turf Paradise have shown symptoms of the virus which poses no risk to humans. In addition, any horses that were housed briefly with the infected New Mexico horse have been tested and do not have the virus. As part of the quarantine, Turf initiated comprehensive disinfectant protocols facility-wide as an additional measure of protection. Live racing at Turf Paradise continued during the quarantine. Quick and preemptive measures have paid off as the quarantine was lifted today, February 18th. As an extra precaution, Turf will not be accepting any horses from Texas or New Mexico. In addition, any horses being brought to the Turf Paradise stable will be placed in isolation and tested for Equine Herpes, and won’t be admitted until it’s determined they are not infected. Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia stated, “While our protocols have gone beyond what is required, we feel an abundance of caution is the best approach. We thank the horsemen and women for their patience and their efforts during the quarantine and moving forward as we ensure the health and safety of our horses.” Turf Paradise is Arizona’s first sports franchise, and has operated continuously at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell. It offers one of the longest racing seasons in the United States thanks to Arizona’s great weather. Through Off Track Betting networks its races are viewed at OTB locations all over the United States and worldwide. Favorites did not disappoint as Nightly News won the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby and Protective Shield took the $25,000 Arizona Oaks Saturday at Turf Paradise.
Coaxed by David Lopez, Nightly News ($3.60) switched leads with a sixteenth of mile to the finish and drew clear by 2 ¼ lengths from Gunfire with Arizona Moon third in the field of seven 3-year-old colts and geldings. Owned by local car dealer Hal Earnhardt, III and trained by Dan McFarland, Nightly News covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.86 for his second lifetime victory and earnings of $63,644. The Arizona Oaks Protective Shield and Martin Bourdieu kept chalk players holding their breath as the prohibitive 2-5 favorite came rolling from mid-pack but was all out to defeat a game Joan of Arch by a half-length with pace-setter Malibu Kash third in the field of ten 3-year-old fillies. Owned by Tom Grether Farms and trained by Robert Lawrence, Protective Shield ($2.80) covered the one mile in 1:38.51 and remains undefeated in three starts. Her $16,242 in earnings for her Az Oaks win increased her bankroll to $44,933 It’s the largest Wiener Dog race in Arizona and it’s returning to Turf Paradise March 12.
They may not have the speed or stride of thoroughbred horses, but they sure have heart. Wiener Mania returns to Turf Paradise Saturday March 12th. Sponsored by Arizona Adopt a Greyhound . The Wiener Dogs will be racing from noon to 5pm in what has become a premiere race in the Wiener Dog circuit. Right before the races there will be a Parade of Wieners for the racing dogs. There is also a Wiener Dog fashion show in which hundreds of Wiener Dogs strut their stuff on the “dog walk.” It wouldn’t be right to call it a catwalk. There is still time for Wiener Dog owners to enter their dogs. Just follow the link. Here are some video highlights of last year’s Wiener Dog races. In addition to the Wiener Dogs, there is also a full card of live horse racing. The day also includes $3 bottled beer and $2 hot dogs and live music. Admission is just $2. Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “These Wiener Dogs may not be setting any speed records but they sure are fan favorites. And while you can’t wager on Wieners, we still have plenty of horse racing for fans who want to wager, watch, and win.” Sunday, March 13th is Dollar Day. Grandstand admission is a dollar. So are programs, hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream and sodas. Draft beer is just $2. In addition to offering live local racing through May 8th the season also includes Special Fiesta Sundays throughout the season featuring Mexican food and music Camel and Ostrich Races March 26th Kentucky Derby Party May 7th Turf Paradise is Arizona’s first sports franchise, and has operated continuously at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell. It offers one of the longest racing seasons in the United States thanks to Arizona’s great weather. Through Off Track Betting networks its races are viewed at OTB locations all over the United States and worldwide. Aspiring three-year-olds will be featured in the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby and the $25,000 Arizona Oaks Saturday at Turf Paradise.
The TP Derby, which drew a field of nine, will be run at 1 1/16 miles and will go as the 7th race. The Az Oaks, attracting a field of 10, will be run at one mile and will go as the 5th race on the 8-race card. The TP Derby Each of the nine entrants has broken their maiden and five of the nine have got their second win under their belts. A former Bob Baffert trainee, Nightly News, will get attention simply because he comes from the barn of a Triple Crown trainer, although he’s now under the care of local trainer Dan McFarlane. Nightly News, a son of Misremembered, has three in the money placings, including a win from four lifetime starts, all at the one mile distance. He has two out of three bullet works in preparation for the TP Derby. Arizona Moon impressed when winning the Lost in the Fog stakes as a Juvenile and then came back to finish a game second in the Chuck N Luck stakes in his first start as a sophomore. Trained by Stacy Campo, the son of Macho Uno , a $55,000 Keeneland purchase, has won two of four starts. Leading trainer Robertino Diodoro will send forth Gunfire, a son of Tapit, who recently broke his maiden Jan. 30 here locally. The Arizona Oaks Protective Shield is a standout among the ten sophomore fillies. Although the daughter of Lookin At Lucky has only two lifetime starts – both victories – she was visually impressive, winning her maiden debut by three lengths and then followed that with a seven-length romp in the Arizona Juvenile Fillies Stakes. Regular rider Martin Bourdieu will be aboard again for trainer Robert Lawrence and owner Tom Grether. Joan of Arch is working on three-in-a-row after recently winning the Valid Leader stakes at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf. Trained by Molly Pearson, Joan of Arch broke her maiden at one mile at Santa Anita and is undefeated in two starts locally. A sleeper horse in here may be the Diodoro-trained Hymn’s Girl who broke her maiden Feb. 3 by 4 ½ lengths at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf. The added distance should play well to her breeding.
In a hair-thin photo-finish Jamaican Memories beat out Storm Power to win the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Saturday at Turf Paradise.
Receiving a perfectly calibrated ride by Andrew Ramgeet, Jamaican Memories ($23.80) surged from deep in the pack to have his nose down on the wire, a whisker before a Storm Power. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to two-time defending champion and 6-5 favorite Absolutely Cool in the field of 10 older horses. An unsustainable pace was blistered by the lightly raced Masterful Stride who posted early fractions of 21.14, 44.00 before tiring to finish fourth. Owned by Minnesota-based James and Carol Bolin and trained by David Van Winkle, the Arizona bred Jamaican Memories raced the 6 furlongs in 1:07.73 while winning for the ninth times in 63 efforts for earnings of $290,437. $35,000 Turf Paradise Handicap Martin Bourdieu and Rocked Twice ($12.80) lulled the competition to sleep on the front end, then went on to win by a half-length with Ride Hard Kowboy second by one length over Empire Knight who finished third in the field of nine older horses. The 3-5 favorite Az Ridge was denied his hat trick victory by finishing fourth. Owned by Rick Reynolds and trained by Dru Hall, Rocked Twice covered the 1 1/16 miles over firm turf in 1:42.13. Rocked Twice, who was winning for the first time over grass, has now won seven of 20 efforts for $168,056 in earnings. $35,000 Sun City Handicap Peppy Miller ($19.80) with David Lopez aboard came roaring from mid-pack to be a half-length the best over favored My Blue Sky with Hip Ninety Three another length back in the field of 10 fillies and mares. Trained by Kevin Eikleberry for Colorado-based owner Raymond McElhaney, Peppy Miller raced the one mile over the grass in 1:37.37 to register her fifth lifetime win for earnings of $98,427. |
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