As nearly 200 trainers and over 1,600 horses begin to arrive to Turf Paradise’s stable area the Phoenix-based track is gearing up for its 64th racing season with opening day set for Saturday, October 12.
 
A 138-day meet will run from October 12 thru May 3, 2020. Racing will be conducted primarily on a 5-day a week basis, Saturday thru Wednesday, with post time set for 12:55 pm.
 
Leading trainer Robertino Diodoro leads a contingent of 30 Canadian-based trainers who are shipping in with over 400 horses from the northland. Diodoro will be seeking his seventh consecutive Leading Trainer’s title.
 
Other Top 20 trainers expected to return are Juan Pablo Silva, Dan McFarlane Jeff Metz, Kevin Eikleberry, Shawn Davis, Molly Pearson and Valerie Lund.

The horses have started to arrive as Turf Paradise gets ready to start its 64th season October 12. In addition to a full card of live, local horseracing the first 5,000 paid admissions will receive a free Opening Day T-shirt featuring the American flag.

The day also features live music, a kids' fun park with bounce house inflatables and barbecue tent.

Opening day's featured race will be the $25,000 Bienvenidos Stakes. Gates open at 11 am and the first post time is 12:55. As always Grandstand admission is $3 and general parking is free.

In addition to live horse racing, fans can watch, wager, and win on simulcasts from major racetracks from around the country. And for fans who can't get to the track, there are more than 55 Off Track Betting locations statewide.

A 138-day meet - an increase of seven live days from the previous meet - will run from opening day October 12 thru May 3, 2020. A total of 36 stakes will be highlighted by the $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmond Mile (Ja. 11), the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup, (Feb. 8) and the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby (Feb. 15).

Opening day is jut the beginning. The season also includes:

• Tow Day Breeders Cup Party November 1 and 2
• A Thanksgiving Weekend Party
  
• Super Saturday February 8 featuring the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup
  
• 64 Anniversary Party featuring the $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmond Mile January 11
  
• Wiener Dog Races March 7
  
• Camel, Ostrich, and Zebra Races April 4
  
• Kentucky Derby Party May 2
  

Turf Paradise General Manager Vincent Francia said, "Turf Paradise has been around for 64 years because we provide horse racing fans the best in live local horse racing and families a day of exiting entertainment."

Who: Turf Paradise
What: Opening Day at Turf Paradise
When: October 12 Gates open at 11 am.
Where: Turf Paradise, 1501 West Bell Road
Why: To start the 64 season of horse racing in Arizona
How Much: Grandstand admission is just $3
More Info: Call (602) 942-1101/ Online www.turfparadise.com

Turf Paradise, located at 19th Ave and Bell Road, first opened its doors in 1956 and has operated at the same location ever since. It has maintained Arizona's horse racing tradition for more than six decades.

The horses have returned to the Valley of the Sun as Turf Paradise Race Course prepares to open its 64th season of racing on Saturday, October 12.
 
A 138-day meet – an increase of seven live days from the previous meet - will run from opening day October 12 thru May 3, 2020. Racing will be conducted primarily on a 5-day a week basis, Saturday thru Wednesday with post time at 12:55 pm. Special live racing will also take place on three Fridays: November 1 (first day of Breeders’ Cup Championship), November 29 (the day after Thanksgiving), and May 1 (Kentucky Oaks Day).
 
A total of 36 stakes will be highlighted by the $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile (Jan. 11), the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup, (Feb. 8) and the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby (Feb. 15).