It’s the biggest day in Arizona horseracing. That’s why it’s called Super Saturday.
February 9 is Super Saturday at Turf Paradise and will feature some of the best thoroughbred horses in the southwest with three stakes races and the Budweiser Classic. Plus a full card of live horseracing.
 
The day also features a special meet& greet with the Turf Paradise Jockey Colony.
 
Grandstand admission is just $3. Kids 16 and under get in for free. The first 5000 paid admissions will get a free T-shirt.
 
Super Saturday includes these stakes races.
The $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup
The $30,000 Turf Paradise Handicap
The $30,000 Sun City Handicap

Fans will have the opportunity to meet the jockeys at Turf through a meet and greet from 11am to noon on the track apron.
 
The day also features:
Live Music
A Kids Fun Park with bounce house inflatables, pony rides and face painting
$3 bottled beer
A BBQ Tent
Free T-shirts for first 5000 paid admissions
A full card of live horse racing


 
Turf Paradise is Arizona’s first sports franchise, and has operated continuously at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell since 1956.  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.
 

Sprinters will be in the spotlight in the $30,000 Hank Mills Stakes and $25,000 Sun Devil Sprint Saturday at Turf Paradise.
 
Both stakes will be run at 5½ furlongs with the Hank Mills, which attracted a field of six 4-year-olds and up and the Sun Devil luring seven fillies and mares.
 
The Hank Mills, 7th Race
Six of the seven entrants are coming off wins which makes for a competitive dash. Five-year-olds Levitation and Kota Copy, both seven-race career winners, are sure to vie for favoritism with leading trainer Robertino Diodoro’s Never Give In, who’s coming off a two month layoff and looking for his fourth consecutive win.
 
Then there’s Blue Law, coming off an eight-month respite, and two consecutive wins at Hastings Park. Wildfire Kid, a double race winner at Turf leads all entrants with 10 career victories and bankroll of $235,154, while the confirmed closer He’s Munnie hopes for a speed duel and his first win since Feb. 5 of 2018.
 
Sun Devil Stakes, 5th Race
Fight to Glory has been in the money in 9 of 10 starts with five wins here locally. Her recent effort in the Sunland Park’s Bold Ego stakes came up empty. But the 5-year-old of American Lion is back on familiar ground. The fact that she won this race last year by 6 ½ lengths, makes her the one to beat.
 
But this race is no sure thing for Fight to Glory, what with the accomplished BCZ Middleton in the lineup. The winner of Turf’s Princess of Palms and Emerald Downs’ King County in 2017 makes her a worthy opponent for the probably favorite Fight to Glory.
 
California shipper, She’s No Drama, promises to keep the top two honest.

The Californians came. Raced. And Won.
 
California-based owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Ruben Fuentes swept both stakes, including the $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile and the $30,000 Glendale Handicap, Saturday at Turf Paradise as the Phoenix-based track celebrated its 63rd anniversary.
 
Prior to taking the Fitzsimmons Mile, the trio struck first with Impasse ($9.20) in the Glendale Handicap. The 6-year-old mare was a 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Midaglia Gold with Gorgeous Ginny third in the field of 10 fillies and mares.
 
Impasse covered the 1 1/16 mile over firm turf in 1:43.58 for her fourth win in 23 outings for earnings of $222,949.
 
The winning trio came right back in the Fitzsimmons Mile with dominant 6 ½ length winner Ohio (BRZ). Longshot Thisgloryisallmine finished second with Gato Guapo third in the field of 10 older horses.
 
Ohio ($3.60) covered the one mile of the greensward in 1:35.87 for his eighth win in 24 efforts for earnings of $228,015.  
 
The Fitzsimmons trophy was once again presented by Cotton’s widow, Joann, who has done so since her husband’s passing in 1994, and the inauguration of a stakes named in his honor. In addition to being a basketball coach and executive for the Phoenix Suns, Cotton was also an avid horseplayer.
 

The $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile will highlight the 63rd anniversary celebration Saturday at Turf Paradise.
 
To commemorate 63 years in the community, the track will donate $10,000 to the Glendale Union High School District as part of its ThoroughbredForED initiative in support of public schools.
 
The first 4,000 fans will receive a free Tote Bag. There will also be free Birthday Cake and multiple inflatables for the kids.
 
Longtime trainer Ray Odom will be signing copies of his newly minted biography, “A Lifetime of Radio, Records and Racehorses,” from noon to 2:00 pm in the Clubhouse.
 
Named in honor of the legendary coach of the Phoenix Suns, the Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile, is the track’s marquis event for turf horses. A field of 10 has entered for the 15th running of the Fitzsimmons Mile. As is custom, the winner’s trophy will be presented by Cotton’s widow, Joann, who is generally accompanied by many of her late husband’s friends, members of the media and former Phoenix Suns’ players.
 
The Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile (7th Race)
In the past 15 running locally based horses have won ten times when up against California shippers.
 
This edition has three west coast shippers, Ohio (Brz), Kitten’s Royal and Blackjackcat. The nod goes to Ohio who has been competing in graded stakes company at Santa Anita for trainer Michael McCarthy, who won this race in 2016 with Somethings Unusual.
 
Blackjackcat will certainly attract attention due to his third place finish in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Mile and his race resume.
 
The local contingent is led by Gato Guapo, fresh from a victory in the Last Chance Derby for leading trainer Robertino Diodoro. Diodoro won this race last year with Inside Straight.
 
Also entered is the Shawn Davis-trained Consumerconfidence who is undefeated locally in two starts, including a victory in the Walter Cluer Handicap.
 
The Glendale Handicap (5th Race)
 
The co-feature will be the $30,000 Glendale Handicap, which attracted a field of 10 fillies and mares for the one mile grass test. McCarthy may be looking for a stakes sweep as he has leading money earner ($205,279) Impasse entered. The 6-year-old mare has raced with moderate success at six different racing venues in the past two years.
 
Diodoro, who had back-to-back wins in this race in 2014 and 2015, will send forth Gorgeous Ginny who rattled off three local stakes tallies before failing to fire in Del Mar’s Betty Grable Stakes.

Turf Paradise is celebrating its 63rd birthday with a gift to the Glendale Union High School District. It could be a sign of more things to come. Turf Paradise is Arizona’s first sports franchise and has been operating at the same location since 1956. It has a long history of civic and charitable giving.  This year the track has decided to assist the Glendale Union High School District with a contribution of $10,000 to be used as the District sees fit.
 
Turf Paradise will celebrate its anniversary January 12th and as part of that celebration it will offer free grandstand admission to all teachers (with valid ID). It will also present a check for $10,000 to GUHSD officials.
 
Turf Paradise has a consistent reputation as a family friendly venue and this contribution is an extension of that commitment.

General Manager Vincent Francia said, “Recent headlines have certainly demonstrated that our schools could use help from all sectors. Turf Paradise is proud to step forward and offer that help to the Glendale Union High School District.” Turf Paradise is within the boundaries of the District.
 
The contribution is also intended to address the need for new sources of revenue for Arizona schools and the track’s willingness to help.
 
Turf Paradise Owner Jerry Simms said, “Assisting our schools and thanking our teachers reflects a commitment we have always had to giving back to a community that Turf Paradise has called home for more than six decades. It also demonstrates that support for education can and should come from as many sources as possible. This is what Arizona leaders have been trying to accomplish and Turf Paradise supports those efforts.”

Turf Paradise opened its doors in 1956 and has operated at the same location (19th Avenue and Bell) ever since making it Arizona’s first sports franchise.

Turf Paradise’s Birthday Party Is January 12th And The Fans And Local Schools Get The Presents


Free Tote Bags. $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile. $10,000 Contribution To The Glendale Union High School District
(PHOENIX)  Turf Paradise is celebrating 63 years in Arizona with a birthday party January 12th that includes free tote bags for the first 4,000 paid admissions and a $10,000 contribution to the Glendale Union High School District as part of the track’s #ThroroughbredForEd initiative.
 
In addition to a full card of live horseracing there’s also live music, a kids fun park, free birthday cake, and $3 aluminum bottled beer.  Grandstand admission is $3 and kids 16 and under get in free.  Grandstand admission is free for teachers with valid ID.  
 
The birthday party also features one of the premier races of the season named after one of the track’s most iconic fans. The $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile is named in honor of the late Phoenix Suns coach who was an avid racing fan and a regular at the track.

To commemorate 63 years in the community Turf Paradise is donating $10,000 to the Glendale Union High School District as part of its ThoroughbredForED initiative in support of public schools.
 
As part of the celebration, longtime trainer Ray Odom will be signing copies of his book, “A Lifetime of Radio, Records, and Racehorses” from noon to 2pm at Clubhouse gift shop. In addition to training horses Ray was a radio station owner and concert promoter who counted Elvis Presley among his friends.
 
Turf Paradise opened its doors at 19th Ave and Bell in 1956. At the time Elvis was on top of the charts and the average price of a home was $12,000.  Back then Turf Paradise’s location was considered the far outskirts of the city, surrounded by desert and dirt roads. Turf Paradise is the state’s first professional sports franchise.

Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “For 63 years we have had the privilege of bringing live local horseracing to Arizona. This is our way of thanking fans for more than six decades in Phoenix.”
 
The season also includes:
 
Fiesta Sundays featuring Mexican food and music the last Sunday of every month.
Super Saturday February 9th
Wiener Dog Races March 9th
Fan Appreciation Day March 23rd
Cornhole Tournament April 6th
Kentucky Derby Party May 4th
 
Who: Turf Paradise
What: 63rd Anniversary Party
When: Saturday, January 12. Gates open at 11a.m.
Where: Turf Paradise 1501 West Bell Road
Why: To celebrate 63 seasons of horseracing in Arizona
How Much: Grandstand admission is just $3
More Info: Call (602) 942-1101/ Online www.turfparadise.com

When Turf Paradise is celebrates 63 years in Arizona January 12th it will salute another Arizona treasure, radio and racing pioneer Ray Odom. Ray came to the Valley in the early 50’s as a radio programmer who went on to own two radio stations. He was also a concert promotor who counted Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra among his friends.
 
Ray’s other passion has always been horse racing. He continues to train horses to this day at Turf Paradise. His association with the track goes back decades. In 1960 he set up a studio at Turf and broadcast the races live until 1975. Odom will be signing copies of his book, “A Lifetime of Radio, Records, and Racehorses” from noon to 2pm at Clubhouse gift shop.

Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “Ray has been and continues to be a compelling chapter in the history of Turf Paradise. That’s in addition to his legendary status as a broadcaster and concert promoter. To say this man has done it all would be an understatement.”

Ray Odom was recently featured on Channel Eight’s Horizon program. Here is a link. Media seeking to interview Ray Odom can contact Mike Scerbo at mscerbo@rosemoserallynpr.com.
 
Turf’s anniversary party also includes free tote bags for the first 4,000 paid admissions and a $10,000 contribution to the Glendale Union High School District as part of the track’s #ThroroughbredForEd initiative.
 
In addition to a full card of live horseracing there’s also live music, a kids fun park, free birthday cake, and $3 aluminum bottled beer.  Grandstand admission is $3 and kids 16 and under get in free.  Grandstand admission is free for teachers with valid ID.  
 
The birthday party also features one of the premier races of the season named after one of the track’s most iconic fans. The $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile is named in honor of the late Phoenix Suns coach who was an avid racing fan and a regular at the track.



The season also includes:
 
Fiesta Sundays featuring Mexican food and music the last Sunday of every month.
Super Saturday February 9th
Wiener Dog Races March 9th
Fan Appreciation Day March 23rd
Cornhole Tournament April 6th
Kentucky Derby Party May 4th
 
Who: Turf Paradise
What: 63rd Anniversary Party
When: Saturday, January 12. Gates open at 11a.m.
Where: Turf Paradise 1501 West Bell Road
Why: To celebrate 63 seasons of horseracing in Arizona
How Much: Grandstand admission is just $3
More Info: Call (602) 942-1101/ Online www.turfparadise.com
 
Turf Paradise opened its doors in 1956 and has operated at the same location at 19th Ave and bell Road ever since. Turf Paradise is Arizona’s first sports franchise and features live racing through May 5th.