Scrap Iron nosed out a tough Heber to win the $50,076 Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby as a nine-race, pure Arizona bred card was featured Saturday as part of Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders’ Day at Turf Paradise.
 
$26,326 Joanne Dye Stakes
The prohibitive 1-5 favorite Lieutenant Margie with David Lopez on cruise control registered a 11 ½ -length victory over a scratch-reduced field of five 3-year-old fillies. Jovial Jewel finished second with 50-1 longshot Epic Style finishing third.
 
Owned and trained by Kevin Eikleberry, Lieutenant Margie covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.64 to score her second lifetime win and first stakes score. A daughter of Margie’s Wildcat, Lieutenant Margie’s earning stand at $58,834.
 
$26,325 Dwight Patterson Handicap
Defending champion Red Zeus ($3.60)), ridden patiently by Scott Stevens, held his title and became the first three-time winner of this race,  by defeating close second favorite Rocked Twice by a half-length with Cavour third. Silvanus, who was stepping up from the claiming ranks and who maintained the lead until late in the stretch, finished fourth in the six horse field.
 
Owned by Peggy Thompson and trained by Dan McFarlane the 6-year-old Red Zeus covered the 1 1/16 miles over firm turf in 1:41.33. Red Zeus, a son of Red Sky, has now won 11 of 47 efforts for $343,388 in earnings.
 
$50,000 Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby
Eikleberry got his second training victory of the day when Scrap Iron ($9.60) and Daniel Vergara out scraped a tough, front-running Heber in a nose-bob photo. The 4-5 favorite Two the Punch could not mount a rally against the top two and finished third in the field of six.
 
Owned by Roger Downes, Scrap Iron covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.98 for his first stake win and third victory in eight efforts. Scrap Iron, a son of Informed, earned $26,603 for his win and now has $140,230 in earnings.
 
$25,000 Lyman & Bradley Rollins Handicap
The Andy Spitalny-owned JP Rocker ($4.80) and Jake Barton opened up daylight on his five rivals and then galloped into the light, registering a six length victory over runner-up Jamaican Memories (last year’s winner) and Midnight Officer who finished third.
 
Trained by J. Jay Kruljac, J P Rocker, a 5-year-old son of Rocky Bar, raced the 6-furlongs in 1:08.08. His $16,322 for the victory raised his lifetime earnings to $129,949.
 
$25,000 Ann Owens Distaff Handicap
Another winner taking advantage of the speed favoring track, Camille ($8.20), ran in tandem with Mobiledixie and Dance Affair (who finished in that order) from gate break to finish, with the Tomas Hinojosa-trained Camille getting the neck victory.
 
Owned by the trainer and ridden by Juan Rivera, Jr., Camille covered the 6-furlongs in 1:09.50. The Rocky Bar, 6-year-old mare earned $16,238 for the win, which pushed her career earning over the one-hundred thousand mark to $116,201. The victory marked Camille’s seventh tally in 26 career start.
 
 

State bred horses will be in the spotlight as Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders present the annual breed day Saturday at Turf Paradise.
 
Over $184,000 will be spread out over nine Arizona bred races, including five stakes, and featuring the $50,000 Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby.
 
$25,000 Joanne Dye Stakes. 3-Year-Old fillies, 6 ½ furlongs
The standout in this field of six fillies is the Kevin Eikleberry-trained Lieutenant Margie, who finished second against the boys in the Arizona Stallion Stakes, April 2. She’s has been in the money, including her maiden win, in four of her five outings.
 
$25,000 Dwight D. Patterson Handicap, 3-Year-Olds & Up, 1 1/16 miles (turf)
Although last year’s winner is in this race, Red Zeus, all eyes will be on the brilliant Silvanus, who will be looking for his seventh consecutive victory this race meet.
 
True, Silvanus, owned by Tamara Metzen and trained by Pedro Sandoval-Hernandez, is stepping up from claiming company into stakes competition, but the 7-year-old has run faster in each of his victories. Silvanus, with regular rider David Lopez up, won’t be hard to spot: He’ll be on the lead, playing a catch-me-if-you-can game.
 
This should make for an interesting race, given that in addition to the front-running Silvanus, Rock n’ Cat and Rocked Twice will be looking to lead the parade.
 
$50,000 Gene Fleming Derby, 3-Year-Olds, 1 1/16 miles
Santa Anita shipper Two the Punch, trained by Kory Owens, will spark the interest of local horseplayers due to his five out of seven in-the-money efforts in southern California.
 
The quickly improving Hey Ez Money, winner of two of three efforts, including the Arizona Stallion stakes, will pose a late-closing threat to Two the Punch.
 
$25,000 Lyman and Bradley Rollins Handicap, 3-Year-Olds & Up, 6 furlongs
Last year’s winner, the hard-hitting Jamaican Memories, returns for an encore performance. The 8-year-old Jamaican Memories may not always get to the finish line first, but he always gives best effort, being in-the-money in 10 of his last 12 starts.
 
Rounding out the compact field are Fullshot, JP Rocker, Midnight Officer, Rexburg and Crown King.
 
$25,000 Ann Owens Distaff Handicap, Fillies & Mares, 3-Year-Olds & up, 6 furlongs
A lot to choose from in this field of eight, given their local race records and a lone shipper.
 
First, the shipper: Dances for Kamia, ships in from Sunland Park, where the 4-year-old has won three of eight allowance efforts utilizing a tracking-the-pace style.
 
The records of the locals: Idling, 7-2-2-1; Myrna Lou, 14-5-2-0; Lazy Daisy May, 18-6-4-6; Camille, 19-4-4-3; Here Comes Granny, 13-1-1-1; Dance Affair, 8-0-7-1 and Mobiledixie, 6-2-0-2.

Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be dull. Rather than staring at a floral centerpiece for two hours, why not take mom to a gourmet champagne brunch while enjoying a day of live horse racing?

Turf Paradise is bringing back its Mother’s Day Brunch May 8th. This year Mother’s Day happens to fall the day after the Kentucky Derby and on the season finale for Turf Paradise.  
 
The Clubhouse Champagne Mother’s Day Brunch is $37 a person and the more upscale Turf Club Champagne Brunch is $42 a person.
 
The food is prepared under the supervision of veteran Chef Gareth Jones, who has overseen gourmet restaurants and cruise ship cuisine before coming to Turf Paradise. Everything is made from scratch and on site including, cakes, pastries and deserts. It’s just the kind of food mom would make if she had a fully stocked gourmet kitchen and a team of culinary professionals at her disposal.

Reservations are required. You can call 602-375-6472 for the Turf Club or 602-375-6470 for the Clubhouse
 
Gates open at Turf Paradise on Mother’s day at 11am. If you’re skipping the brunch, Grandstand admission is still $2.
 
The Mother’s Day Brunch happens the day after Turf Paradise’s massive Kentucky Derby Party which offers fans the chance to watch and wager on the Derby in addition to a full card of live and local horse racing.
 
Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be dull. In addition to world class buffets, Turf Paradise offers a full card of live horse racing including the $25,000 Hasta la Vista Handicap. Rather than spend the day trying to explain to mom the difference between Snapchat and Instagram, why not enjoy the day watching live and local horse racing? ”

Turf Paradise opened its doors in in 1956 and has been at 19th Ave. and Bell Road ever since making it Arizona’s first sports franchise.

A photography company that started in Phoenix will be the official photographer for the Kentucky Derby. Coady Photography began in Phoenix more than 50 years ago. Today it is the official photography company for Turf Paradise and more than 20 tracks across the country. This year Coady Photography added Churchill Downs to its list which means it is the official photographer for the Kentucky Derby.

The company was founded in 1962 by Jack Coady Sr. In the lake 1950’s, Jack was a photographer for the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette and one of his assignments was Turf Paradise which opened a few years earlier. Jack eventually became the official photographer for Turf Paradise giving birth to a business and a tradition that thrives to this day.
 
Jack’s sons and grandsons followed in the family business. His grandson Shawn has been taking pictures at Turf Paradise for more than 25 years. Shawn will be part of the team taking pictures at the Kentucky Derby May 7th.
 
Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “I have always considered Coady to be the First Family of horseracing photography. Now that Coady Photography is going to the Derby, I guess that designation is official.”

Every November, Turf Paradise salutes the Coady family with a race named in their honor, the Jack and Jeff Coady Stakes
 
Meanwhile Turf Paradise is getting ready for its annual Kentucky Derby Party where fans can watch the live simulcast of the Kentucky Derby and watch and wager on live horse racing.
 
The day also features a fashion contest, live music, a kids’ fun park, and free commemorative Derby glasses to the first 5,000 paid admissions.

For more details on the party check out our Derby Page.
 
Grandstand Admission is $5.00.  Kids 16 and under get in free.
 
For those wanting to kick it up a notch, there are all day buffets in the air conditioned comfort of Turf’s Directors’ Suite, Turf Club, and Club House.
 

"Top of the Park" Directors Suite Buffet $70  
Reservations:  602-375-6471

Turf Club All Day Buffet $70
Turf Club Reservations: 602-375-6472

Clubhouse All Day Buffet $50
Clubhouse Reservations: 602-375-6470

Party on the Rail $30
Prime outdoor seating/Includes BBQ Combo Meal. Reservations:  602-375-6471

Grandstand Admission is $5.00 May 7th and seats are first come first serve. The gates open 7:15am.
The first Turf Paradise live post is 11:30am. The Kentucky Derby is approximately 3:24pm.
Those times are subject to change without notice, please check our Kentucky Derby Page for the most current times.

Turf Paradise opened its doors in in 1956 and has been at 19th Ave. and Bell Road ever since making it Arizona’s first sports franchise.

Once again Turf Paradise is hosting a Kentucky Derby party in Arizona May 7th offering fans the chance to watch the live simulcast of the Kentucky Derby and wager on the race, as well as live local horse racing. But for fans who can’t make it to the Phoenix racetrack, there are 65 off track betting locations in Arizona where fans can watch the simulcast and wager on the Derby.
 
For a list of all of them click here.

From Flagstaff to Tucson and beyond, the off track betting network allows fans the chance to catch the excitement of the Derby as well as other races around the world. In addition this network also simulcasts races at Turf Paradise.
 
In fact, Turf Paradise races are simulcast at off-track betting locations worldwide from London to Dubai. The network brings races from Turf Paradise to an international audience.
 
Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “Geography need not keep fans from watching and wagering on the Kentucky Derby. And for folks who want a more intimate venue, there are 65 options in Arizona and chances are one of those locations is right around the corner.”
 
For a list of off track betting locations in Arizona click here.

Turf Paradise opened its doors in in 1956 and has been at 19th Ave. and Bell Road ever since making it Arizona’s first sports franchise.