Turf Paradise has been a home to horseracing in the Valley for more than 60 years. I took over the helm of Turf Paradise more than 20 years ago, and I have devoted a great deal of energy (and more than a small amount of money) trying to make Turf Paradise a success. Unquestionably, the continued success of Turf Paradise is essential to the survival of the horseracing industry in this State. Until now, my unwavering goal has been to growing the sport of horseracing in Arizona and providing a superior product for our customers.
Your Board has recently decided to pursue a course of conduct that makes accomplishing that goal unlikely. Indeed, recently, the Board made a list of 25 demands to Turf Paradise in the guise of contract “negotiations.” However, 21 of those 25 demands are, in fact, an attempt to dictate the way in which Turf Paradise runs its business.
Now, it may be that there are improvements that can be made to the business of Turf Paradise. However, whether to risk making those improvements is my choice. I do not go to any one of your barns and try to tell you how to train your horses, how to run your horses, how to breed your horses, or how (or for how much) to buy and sell your horses. You are professionals. Those decisions are your business.
Well, I am a professional. My business decisions are my business. This is a hard business. It requires devotion, time, energy, commitment, and passion. It is hard enough on its own without the Board’s interference. Unfortunately, your Board is making it more and more likely that I will decide to no longer stay in this business.
It may very well be that Turf Paradise cannot reach an agreement with the Board for our next meet. That would be unfortunate, and it would likely have negative consequences for all involved. It may also be that the Board’s tactics make it economically non-viable to keep Turf Paradise in operation as a racetrack.
I wish you all the best in this coming race season. I would like nothing more than to continue a mutually beneficial agreement with the Board. However, the Board is making that impossible; and you, your livelihoods, and your families will be the ones that suffer as a result. I wish that was not the case. If you would like to discuss anything in this letter with me, my General Manager, Vince Francia or I will be happy to talk.
--Jerry Simms
Your Board has recently decided to pursue a course of conduct that makes accomplishing that goal unlikely. Indeed, recently, the Board made a list of 25 demands to Turf Paradise in the guise of contract “negotiations.” However, 21 of those 25 demands are, in fact, an attempt to dictate the way in which Turf Paradise runs its business.
Now, it may be that there are improvements that can be made to the business of Turf Paradise. However, whether to risk making those improvements is my choice. I do not go to any one of your barns and try to tell you how to train your horses, how to run your horses, how to breed your horses, or how (or for how much) to buy and sell your horses. You are professionals. Those decisions are your business.
Well, I am a professional. My business decisions are my business. This is a hard business. It requires devotion, time, energy, commitment, and passion. It is hard enough on its own without the Board’s interference. Unfortunately, your Board is making it more and more likely that I will decide to no longer stay in this business.
It may very well be that Turf Paradise cannot reach an agreement with the Board for our next meet. That would be unfortunate, and it would likely have negative consequences for all involved. It may also be that the Board’s tactics make it economically non-viable to keep Turf Paradise in operation as a racetrack.
I wish you all the best in this coming race season. I would like nothing more than to continue a mutually beneficial agreement with the Board. However, the Board is making that impossible; and you, your livelihoods, and your families will be the ones that suffer as a result. I wish that was not the case. If you would like to discuss anything in this letter with me, my General Manager, Vince Francia or I will be happy to talk.
--Jerry Simms
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