The simulcast of the Kentucky Derby and the Hasta la Vista Stakes will highlight the three-day closing weekend of the meet at Turf Paradise.
 
The weekend starts Friday with live racing and a simulcast of the Kentucky Oaks. Regular post time of 1:25 pm will be in effect.
 
Derby Day Saturday gates will open at 7:00 am with the first of the Churchill Downs simulcasts starting at 7:30 am. Live racing will start at 11:30 am. The 144th running of the $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby (G1) is set for 3:50 pm. Grandstand admission Derby Day is $5. General Parking is free; valet is $15.
 
A free Kentucky Derby commemorative glass, listing the names of the previous 143 Derby winners, will be given away to the first 5,000 fans, All-day buffets are available in the Clubhouse, Turf Club, Turf Club Terrace and Directors’ Suite patio as well as new this year, in the outside Pavilion, located trackside. The traditional Derby drink, the Mint Julep, will be available and a Best Bonnet and Kentucky Derby gent contests will spark up the festive atmosphere of the day. There will also be free multiple inflatables for the kids
 
Sunday is closing day with free Grandstand admission plus the $30,000 Turf Paradise Spring Futurity and the traditional closing day feature, the $30,000 Hasta la Vista Handicap.
 
The Spring Futurity
A full field of 12 juveniles will head postward in this 5-furlong sprint.
 
The Hasta la Vista
The traditional closing day feature, the marathon one mile and seven-eights turf test attracted a field of nine.
 
Simulcast races from major racetracks across the country, including Saratoga and Del Mar, will be offered for wagering throughout the summer at Turf in the air-conditioned Clubhouse and at all Off Track Betting facilities.
 
Live racing will return October 13.

Fortified Effort won the $50,400 Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby on a day where Arizona bred horses were showcased over nine races including four stakes Saturday at Turf Paradise.
 
Staying clear of congestion as the field turned for home, 7-5 favorite Fortified Effort ($4.80) posted a 1 ¼  length victory over Zippy Groom (who got blocked when making his move in deep stretch) with Oldtoytrain third in the field of six 3-year-old colts and geldings.
 
Owned by the quartet of Lloyd Yother, Bill Mathews, Marvin Fleming and trainer Kevin Eikleberry and ridden by Kevin’s son Ry, Fortified Effort covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.83. A son of Ez Effort, Fortified Effort was winning for the fifth time in 11 starts, including three stakes wins, and now has $174,173 in earnings
 
$29,625 Lyman & Bradley Rollins Handicap
Triple AAA Ranch’s Bar Scene ($13.60), a 5-year-old mare and lone female against four colts and geldings, proved best with a front-running performance for trainer Lymon Perren. The daughter of Rocky Bar, with Scott Stevens up, raced the 6 furlongs in a sprightly 1:09.64 for her fourth victory in eight outings. Jilas Miracle finished second, a length behind the winner with Royal Privacy third.
 
The win raised Bar Scene’s purse earnings to $115,586.
 
$44,852 Joanne Dye Breeders’ Oaks
Leaving no doubt as to her bona fides, prohibitive 1-5 favorite Foggia ($2.40) led from start to finish with extremely confident Francisco Arrieta aboard for Sawyer Cattle Company and trainer Dan McFarlane. Foggia had 4 ¼ lengths on runnerup Myrcella with Shesaheatwave third in the field of seven 3-year-old fillies.
 
Another progeny of prolific sire Rocky Bar, Foggia covered the 7 ½ furlongs over firm turf in 1:30:27. It was the third win in eight starts for Foggia who now has earnings of $104,856.
 
$30,250 Dwight Patterson Handicap
Scott Stevens, who went a perfect four-for-four, got his fourth tally of the day with a well-timed ride aboard Sierrita ($8.80) to win a four-horse photo finish. Silvanus ralled alongside the winner to finish second, a half-length back, with Ida Goodest third in the field of seven older horses. Scrap Iron finished fourth.
 
Owned by Seven Arms Stable and trained by David Van Winkle, Sierrita covered the 1 1/6 over the turf in 1:42.66. It was the eighth victory in 23 efforts for Sierrita, a mare taking on the boys, and the win boosted her earnings to $108,187. The daughter of Top Hit was scoring her first win in two tries over the grass.
 
Note: Fleming Thoroughbred led all Breeders with three wins on the day. Triple AAA had two winners.

Consumeconfidence set a new record for 7 ½ furlongs on the turf course when he sped to a final time of 1:27.41 Sunday at Turf Paradise Race Course. The previous record was 1:27:54 set in 2004.
 
Racing for owner Frank Bemis and trainer Shawn Davis, Consumerconfidence ($8.20) ridden by Francisco Arrieta, tracked closely to Trill Point’s fast early splits of 22.70, 45.37, 1:09.06. Consumerconfidence then took on a serious challenge from favorite Jam N Addy. The two exchanged bumps in the stretch with Consumerconfidence prevailing by a nose at the wire.
Trill Point finished third in the field of eight allowance optional claiming types.
 
It was the fourth win in 15 outings and the second consecutive tally over the turf for Consumerconfidence, a 5-year-old horse by Quality Road.

There is only one Kentucky Derby Party in Arizona where you can watch, wager, and win on the Derby simulcast AND enjoy a full day of live and local horseracing.  
 
The biggest and best Kentucky Derby party is May 5th at Turf Paradise. It’s the only place in Arizona where you can watch live local horseracing AND bet on the Derby simulcast.
 
For those who can’t make it to the track, there are more than 56 Off Track Betting sites where you can bet on the Derby and live racing at Turf Paradise.
 
Grandstand admission is just $5, and kids 16 and under get in free. There is also live music, a kids’ fun park with bounce house inflatables, and food and drink specials.

The first 5,000 paid admissions get a free commemorative Kentucky Derby glass.
 
Turf Paradise also hosts a one-of-a-kind Bonnet and Derby Fashion Contest.
 
For a look at highlights from last year’s Kentucky Derby Party click here.
 
Grandstand Admission is $5.00 on May 5th and seats are first come first serve. Kids 16 and under get in free for the Grandstand only.
 
The gates open 7:15am. The first Turf Paradise live post is 11:30am. The Kentucky Derby is approximately 3:46pm.  Those times are subject to change without notice, please check our Kentucky Derby Page for the most current times. General self-parking at Turf Paradise is FREE. Valet parking is available for $15.

For those wanting to kick it up a notch, there are all day buffets in the air conditioned comfort of Turf’s Directors’ Suite, Turf Club, and Club House. Reservations are required. Details are on our Kentucky Derby page.
 

"Top of the Park" Directors Suite Buffet $90     
Reservations:  602-375-6471

Turf Club All Day Buffet $90
Reservations: 602-375-6472

Turf Terrace Ballroom & Attached Patio $90
Includes all day buffet.
Reservations: 602-375-6471
 
Clubhouse All Day Buffet $65
Clubhouse Reservations: 602-375-6470

Pavilion Buffet $50
Price includes a continental breakfast and a BBQ lunch buffet.
Reservations: 602-375-6412
 
Party on the Rail $210 for a table of six or $35 per individual
Prime outdoor seating/Includes BBQ Combo Meal. Reservations:  602-375-6412

Tickets are also on sale now for a trackside experience in luxury tents. The Stella Artois Kentucky Derby DayClub includes admission to air-conditioned tents featuring betting terminals, big-screen TV’s and a DJ. There are also VIP options. For information or to buy tickets for the Derby DayClub click here.
 
Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “Derby Day at Turf Paradise has been an Arizona tradition for 62 years. From the Director’s Suite to the Grandstand Apron, Turf Paradise offers ways to enjoy Derby Day at all price levels. For fans, families, and fun-seekers Turf Paradise hosts the ultimate Kentucky Derby Party celebrating the greatest two minutes in sports.”

Turf Paradise opened its doors in in 1956 and has been at 19th Ave. and Bell Road ever since making it Arizona’s first sports franchise.