The opening of the Unibet Sports Book at Turf Paradise Race Track is set for Wednesday, April 13.
 
The track, which already conducts wagering on live and simulcast horse racing, will now offer betting on other sporting events at the facility, located at 19th Avenue and Bell Road in northeast Phoenix.
 
“It’s an exciting time for Turf Paradise as we will continue to provide pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, but also with our partner Unibet, offer another form of wagering on other sports as well,” said Vincent Francia, the track’s general manager.
 
A temporary sports betting area will be located on the first floor of the Grandstand in the Paddock Room. A more permanent area is in the design stage which will be located in a large banquet room on the third floor, adjacent to the Turf Club.
 
The start-up hours of operation for Sports betting will be from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. These hours will be adjusted prior to football season.
 
There will be six sports betting kiosks and a live teller to cash winning tickets. Twenty-five large screen monitors will cover the room with four of those monitors dedicated to the ever-changing odds of sporting events.
 
Turf Paradise, considered to be the first sports franchise in the Valley, opened in 1956.

Horseracing fans and those new to the sport will be returning to Turf Paradise as the track is once again hosting the Bulleit Bourbon Derby DayClub presented by Sanderson Lincoln. It’s the only Kentucky Derby party in Arizona with live local horseracing. Fans can watch and wager on the Derby simulcast as well as on the live local horseracing that will be taking place at Turf Paradise in north Phoenix.

The DayClub gives horseracing fans luxury options within Turf Paradise, located near 19th Ave. and Bell Road, to enjoy a day at the races on May 7th.

The Bulleit Bourbon Derby DayClub features live DJ’s, no host bars offering Mint Juleps, champagne and cocktails, food trucks, and on-site betting terminals. The event offers two covered trackside settings: The Sanderson Lincoln Black Label Lounge and The Ketel One Botanical Pavilion. In addition to amazing views, the DayClub also features 70″ TVs to watch the Kentucky Derby simulcast and live horse racing at Turf Paradise.

For more than 60 years Turf Paradise has been home to exciting horseracing as well as the place to be on Kentucky Derby day, and this year is no exception as the   producers of Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships bring luxury style polo tents to the Phoenix racetrack. Giant hats and over the top fashions are also returning as fans get ready to dress the part. There’s even a fashion and hat contest presented by Cintron.

The Sanderson Lincoln Black Label Lounge and the Ketel One Botanical Pavilion are offering reserved seating and general admission giving racing fans a variety of luxury options to celebrate the most exciting two minutes in sports. To see all the options, go to www.thepoloparty.com/derby.

The Bulleit Bourbon Derby DayClub is located on the grounds at Turf Paradise along the track apron, placing fans at the heart of the racing action at the Phoenix facility. Tickets can be purchased in advance here or day of, but they are going fast.

On Derby Day May 7th Turf Paradise gates will open at 7:15 am. The Derby DayClub opens at 10:45 am. Live racing begins at 11:30am and the Kentucky Derby broadcast takes place at approximately 3:57 pm Arizona time.
Media seeking more information, or to arrange coverage in advance or on Derby Day  are asked to contact Mike Scerbo at MScerbo@RoseAllynPR.com.

Two grass stakes will highlight the eight-race card this Friday at Turf Paradise.
The $60,000 Turf Paradise Turf Stakes for 4-year-olds and up and the $60,000 Glendale Stakes for fillies and mares will be the main attractions, with the Turf Stakes attracting a field of 10 and the Glendale a full field of 12. Both stakes will be run at 1 1/16 miles over the greensward.
 
Turf Paradise Turf Stakes
Trainer Michael McCarthy, who just shipped in to win this track’s Queen of the Green Stakes with Brooke (CHI) on Jan. 14, is sending over Caribou Club, a graded stakes winner and grass ace who’s won 10 of 30 career turf races. The son of City Zip’s lifetime bankroll of $751,248 leads all entrants.
 
The Robertino Diodoro-trained Tiger Dad, who won the Luke Kruytbosch Stakes Nov. 26 then followed with a game second in the Walter Cluer Memorial Jan. 14, signaled his readiness with :47.3, 4-furlong workout Feb. 4.
 
Two regally bred turf horses Giant Payday (Giant’s Causeway) a winner of his last three races among medium-priced claimers and My Indy (English Channel), winner of three of his last five starts in optional claiming company are also entered.
 
The Glendale
Ten of the 12 entrants have multiple turf victories on their records which should make for a competitive race. Three of the standouts are the Vladimir Cerin-trained Norma Jean B., the Ian Kruljac-trained Quiet Secretary and the McCarthy-haltered Global Brand.

California invaders came, conquered and returned home with trophies as Majestic Eagle took the $60,000 Walter Cluer Memorial Stakes and Brooke (CHI) the $60,000 Queen of the Green Stakes Friday at Turf Paradise.

The Neil Drysdale-trained Majestic Eagle ($8.40) took the Walter Cluer with Tiger Dad second and Zoffarelli third in the field of nine. The winner, owned by Rave Green Racing and ridden by Harry Hernandez, covered the 7 ½ furlongs over the turf in 1:28.56. The top three finishers race primarily on the west coast.

El Tata Stables’ Brooke ($3.60) with Drayden Van Dyke aboard won the Queen of the Green with longshot Cover Version second and My Crafty Gal third in the field of seven fillies and mares. The Michael McCarthy-trained Brooke traveled the 7 ½ furlongs over the grass in 1:29.06.