 The Lutheran Church of the Master in Phoenix is once again holding its annual Easter Sunrise Service at Turf Paradise on Sunday April 1 in a tradition that began 56 years ago. The church first opened in the early 60’s but there wasn’t enough room to accommodate an Easter service. Turf Paradise opened its doors a few years earlier and agreed to provide the church space for the service. That tradition continues today.
The service begins at 6am in the third floor grandstand providing parishioners a breathtaking view of the sunrise over the track. The service is open to all faiths. Pastor Randy Donahue will be officiating. Turf Paradise is located at 1501 West Bell Road in Phoenix. Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia stated, “We are proud to be part of this decades long tradition which offers a truly inspiring view to celebrate Easter Sunday.” The service takes place in the outdoor third floor grandstand overlooking the beautifully landscaped track, with its lagoon and palm trees, and the surrounding mountains providing an inspiring backdrop. 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. Three-year-old grass aces will be featured in the $30,000 Tempe and $30,000 Scottsdale Handicaps Saturday at Turf Paradise.
The Tempe drew seven aspirants while the Scottsdale, for 3-year-old fillies, attracted a field of eight. Both races will be run at one mile over the grass course. Post time for the first of eight races is 12:55 pm. The Tempe The Dan McFarland-trained Primo Touch is the obvious one to beat. The son of British sire Midas Touch is coming off back-to-back stakes wins in the Turf Paradise Derby and the Startac stakes. In addition, the lay-off-the pace runner is a perfect three-for-three over the local greensward. McFarlane has won this race twice before in 2017 and 2014. Competition is expected from the Robertino Diodoro-trained Playoff Bound who broke his maiden two starts back with a 6 ¾ length romp over the turf as the favorite. However, he could do no better than sixth in his recent effort in the Turf Paradise Derby. The Scottsdale The fillies division comes up more competitive with three of the eight entrants coming off wins and a Vann Belvoir shipper coming in from Santa Anita. Plus there’s the back-on-form Foggia, whose recent second place finish in the Arizona Oaks, is in the race. The three last race winners: Shesaheatwave, a 2 ½ length winner against maiden claiming $20,000; Brechin’s Command, debut winner against optional claiming $20,000 and Acharnement, four-length maiden winner at one mile (turf). The west-coast shipper: My Masterpiece, who has been facing tougher at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita, has won two of six outings on the grass. And Foggia: Broke her maiden at first asking as a 2-year-old and then followed with a victory in the ATBA Stakes and a second in the Breeders’ Futurity; finished second in her first start as a 3-year-old in the Arizona Oaks. |
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