They Join Camels and Ostriches March 26th

They are the ‘bad boys’ of racing, camels and ostriches, and this year they’re getting some company.


Alternative racing returns to Turf Paradise, Saturday March 26th featuring camel racing, ostrich racing and for the first time zebra racing.
 
Camel racing is popular in the Middle East, Australia and Africa. Ostrich racing is more difficult than camel racing. The sport is popular in Africa. Zebra racing is very difficult as well, as the animals are much more difficult to train compared to horses.

Here are some highlights from last year’s camel and ostrich racing at Turf Paradise.
 
The day also features a full card of live horse racing. And while you can’t wager on camels, ostriches or zebras; you can still wager, watch, and win with the horses.
 
 In addition to some of the strangest racing to grace our track the day also features:

• Live Music
• $3 bottled Beer
• A Kids Fun Park with Bounce Inflatables, a Petting Zoo and Face Painting
• A full card of traditional racing with horses and, of course, you can bet on them!

 
Grandstand admission is $2 and kids 16 and under getting in for free.

The event is sponsored by the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. 

Turf Paradise General Manager Vincent Francia said, “This is the first time we have ever raced zebras at Turf Paradise. Let’s hope they earn their stripes as the newest addition to alternative racing day.”
 
In addition to offering live local racing through May 8th, the season also includes a 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 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.

Bubba Shobert completed the AMA Pro Flat Track “Grand Slam” when the series last visited the area in 1986

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2016) – AMA Pro Flat Track will be making a return to the Phoenix area for the first time in 30 years with the Law Tigers Arizona Mile, scheduled as round four of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track season on Saturday, May 14 at Turf Paradise in Scottsdale, Ariz.
 
“Arizona is a spectacular motorcycle market and a great place to put on events,” said race promoter Chris Morgan. “We recognize the value of Arizona, the enthusiasm of the motorcycle market and how much of a perfect market it is for an AMA Pro Flat Track event.”
 
The Arizona Mile will be the first race in the area since 1986, when motorcycle racing legend Bubba Shobert won a half-mile event in Phoenix aboard the Honda RS750. With that victory, Shobert completed the “Grand Slam” of winning a Mile, Half-Mile, Short Track, Tourist Trophy and Road Racing main event.
 
Looking to add to the sport’s history in the state, the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track will be geared up for Turf Paradise as the first mile event of the season.
 
“Arizona is a great part of the country to have a race,” said Factory Harley-Davidson rider Brad Baker. “The weather will be nice and there is just a neat vibe overall. Since it will be the first mile race of the season, it will show who really did their homework over the off season to prepare. You can always count on Bryan Smith, Jared Mees and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. to perform well, and I know that I’m prepared to be up there with all of them.”
 
The race, being presented locally by Buddy-Stubbs Harley-Davidson, will be an “afternoon twilight event,” meaning that the gates will open at noon and the race will start at 3:00 p.m. In addition to the AMA Pro Flat Track action on the race track, there will be a variety of family-friendly entertainment including stunt performances and a vendor area.
 
“For years, the Law Tigers have proudly sponsored the AMA Pro Flat Track finals in Pomona,” said Ari Levenbaum, the Vice President of Marketing for the Law Tigers Motorcycle Lawyers. “With the loss of the Pomona venue last year, the promoters and I were eager to continue our partnership and tradition of putting on Flat Track races. As riders and racing enthusiasts ourselves, we felt that it was important to find another venue that both the Flat Track racers and fans would enjoy. Bringing a race to Arizona, home to Turf Paradise and the Arizona Law Tigers, just made sense. We love supporting the racing element of motorcycling and are committed to seeing the sport grow and flourish.”
 
For more information and to purchase tickets for the Law Tiger’s Arizona Mile, please visit http://www.ArizonaMile.com.
 
For important facts and information regarding the event, please click the link below:
http://www.arizonamile.com/faq.php

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.