​Turf Paradise, Arizona’s first sports franchise, is helping Arizona families deal with inflation by offering affordable family fun as it hosts Super Saturday March 11th
That’s why Turf Paradise and the Arizona Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association are bringing back wallet day after more than decade. Turf Paradise is also holding five stakes races that day along with a full card of live local horse racing.
On March 11th the Phoenix racetrack and the HBPA will be giving away free wallets to the first 4,000 paid admissions. And each wallet will have betting vouchers valued between $2 and $500.
 
The day also includes a full card of live local horseracing including:
The $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup
The $75,000 Arizona Oaks
The $75,000 Turf Paradise Derby
The $100,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile
The $60,000 Queen Of The Green Stakes
There’s also live music and a family fun park with bounce house inflatables. Turf Paradise is committed to offering affordable family fun to the community it has served for more than six decades. General admission is just $3 and general parking is free. Gates open at 11am.
Turf Paradise has continually operated at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell since 1956. In addition to live local horseracing Turf Paradise is also home to Unibet Sports Book allowing fans to bet on their favorite sports teams.
“Free wallets are a fan favorite and bringing them back when we are having five signature stakes races helps bring the day from good to great,” said Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia.”
Media seeking interviews with jockeys, trainers, and longtime employees can contact Mike Scerbo at Mscerbo@TurfParadise.net or 602 615 6523.
Turf Paradise at 19th Ave and Bell opened its doors in 1956 and is Arizona’s first sports franchise. It is home to Unibet Sports Book and operates more than 40 Off Track Betting locations in Arizona. 

Two one-hundred grand stakes, the Phoenix Gold Cup and the Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile, top a five Stakes Super Saturday March 11 at Turf Paradise.
 
The Phoenix Gold Cup at six furlongs and the Cotton Fitzsimmons at one mile on the turf, will be complemented by the $60,000 Queen of the Green and two seventy-five grand stakes for three-year-olds, the Arizona Oaks at one mile and the Turf Paradise Derby at 1 1/16 miles.
 
These stakes have a history of being a square off between locally based horses and California shippers. This year’s edition is no exception. A look at the local versus shipper standouts in each of the five stakes.
 
4th Race: $60,000 Queen of the Green, Fillies & Mares, 4-year-olds & Up, 1 1/16 mile (turf), 8 entered.
FAIRY TALE BLISS – In the barn of local trainer Dan McFarlane, this Cal-based 7-year-old mare is 10 of 20 lifetime grass efforts.
ICE QUEEN – This Cal shipper has been racing at Santa Anita, finding moderate success among low level turf claimers.
YANKEE DOLLAR – Locally based 4-year-old folly is lightly raced but improving with each start. The front-running daughter of California Chrome will have leading rider Harry Hernandez aboard.
 
5th Race: $75,000 Arizona Oaks, Fillies, 3-year-olds, 1 mile, 8 entered.
FAYETTE FOX – Recently claimed for $62,500 out of her maiden win at Santa Anita by Vladimir Cerin, who won this race in 2008, the daughter of Sharp Azteca is looking to capitalize on immediate black type if she can win the Oaks.
BEYOND AWESOME – A confirmed front-runner for leading trainer Justin Evans, this sophomore already has two stakes wins to her credit and won five of eight races overall.
 
6th Race: $75,000 Turf Paradise Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles, 12 entered.
THIRSTY JOHN – Winner of the Cal Cup Derby, it is this colt’s race to lose for trainer Peter Miller. Only entrant sporting a win at the distance.
​TIZ TOCK – Fellow west coast shipper, claimed from his maiden win by John Sadler.
ARIZONA ANDREW – A winner of 5 of 7 starts, including three stakes, for local trainer Kevin Eikleberry
 
7th Race: $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup, 4-year-olds & Up, 6 furlongs, 12 entered.
HOWBEIT – Brings a Grade 2 win at Santa Anita to this deep field of sprinters. One of two nominated by trainer Mark Glatt. The other being ESCAPE ROUTE.
MINISTER OF SOUL – One of two locally based horses that have won the Gold Cup (2019) along with TIGER DAD (2022). While MINISTER OF SOUL will be battle up front TIGER DAD will make an off the pace late rush.
 
8th Race: $100,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile, 3-year-olds and up, 8 furlongs (turf), 12 entered
SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT - Grade 1 winner and multiple graded runner-ups, including
a close finish for the win in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Mile, this Michael McCarthy front-runner is the one to beat. If there’s a chink in this $1.8 million earner’s armor, it’s his last three graded starts show signs he may be tailing off, although his recent works indicate he just needed a breather.