Dear Horsemen:
Turf Paradise has submitted live race dates for an 84-day winter meet – January 2 thru May 1, 2021 – to the Racing Commission for their approval at the October 8 meeting. We know this is welcome news to the horsemen. Turf Paradise is prepared and willing to do this for the horsemen and Arizona racing. But there are two conditions that must be met in order for us to host this meet.
First, the $2.1 million that the AZHBPA transferred out of the Turf Paradise Horsemen’s account into an AZHBPA account, must be returned to the horsemen’s purse account at Turf. AZHBPA leadership is on public record as saying whoever is running live, gets the money. Keep in mind that $2.1 million does not belong to the AZHBPA or to Turf Paradise. That money belongs to the horsemen who would run live at Turf Paradise.
 
With the $2.1 million back in the account and the projected $1 million generated in current purse accumulation between now and December 31 plus the purse monies that will be generated during the proposed live race meet, Turf will be able to offer the horsemen a 25% purse increase (from $80,000 to $100,00 daily)  for this proposed meet. Surely the AZHBPA would not object to that?
 
The second condition is, the AZHBPA approvals for simulcasting, both export (Turf’s signal being sent to other race tracks for wagering) and import (Turf bringing in other race track signals for wagering), must be approved through May 31, 2021. Those approvals are essential in order to continue generating money into the purse account, and we simply cannot conduct a live race meet with the AZHBPA constantly threatening to withdraw those approvals.
 
Turf does not feel these two conditions are unreasonable. What is reasonable is, offering the Arizona horsemen a live race meet.
 
Keep in mind that for a live race meet to be conducted, Turf will have to take certain action and follow protocols dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic.
 
Turf has been advised by ADOR Racing Director Rudy Casillas that Mr. Hutton has told him that the AZHBPA is willing to make only weekly payments. Turf horsemen conduct business daily with the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper. As an example, if a horseman wants to withdraw money from his/her account under Mr. Hutton’s plan, they would have to wait a week until the funds are deposited.
 
Turf has been conducting horsemen’s business for 65 years thru a direct relationship between horsemen and the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper. Now all of a sudden the AZHBPA, without Turf’s knowledge, put the money in another account and wants to pay it out only weekly.
 
So, horsemen, tell the AZHBPA to put the money back into the Turf Paradise horsemen’s account and to sign the simulcast agreements until May 31, 2021. Email us simultaneously so we know what you’re thinking at vfrancia@turfparadise.net, rhuttonaz@yahoo.com and wlgessmann@gmail.com if you want to race live at Turf from January 2 to May 1.
 
Sincerely,
Vincent Francia
General Manager

Dear Horsemen:
 
Turf Paradise is proposing to host a live meet, beginning January 2, thru May 1, 2021, which is Kentucky Derby Day.
 
We have heard from you, the horsemen, that you need and want live racing in Arizona as soon as possible. We are able to have Turf race-ready for the horsemen by January 2. But there are two conditions that have to be met before Turf will do this.
 
The first condition is the $2.1 million that was transferred out of the Turf Paradise horsemen’s purse account into an account by the AZHBPA, has to be returned to the horsemen’s purse account at Turf for the race meet.
 
That money does not belong to the AZBBPA or to Turf Paradise. It belongs to the horsemen who are racing live at Turf. Without that money being transferred back into the horsemen’s purse account, Turf would not be able to host the proposed race meet. It has been publicly stated by AZHBPA President Bob Hutton that, “they (the funds) will be used only for purse money for whatever track that wants to run a live meet!”
 
The second condition is the horsemen have to form a new group:

• That group needs to represent a majority of horsemen at Turf Paradise
• This new group would have to elect a board of directors, including a president and officers
  
• This group would have to create by-laws

 
That group would then represent the horsemen’s interests in live racing and simulcasting at Turf.
 
Another and quicker way to accomplish this goal would be for the current board members and their executive director of the AZHBPA to resign their positions, making room for a new board and executive director. Recently the AZHBPA and Turf Paradise agreed to terminate the current contract between us. A new contract will be needed between Turf Paradise and the new horsemen’s group.
 
Suffice it is to say, both Turf and the AZHBPA have tried to resolve their differences. But with the transfer of Turf Paradise horsemen’s purse money into an account by the AZHBPA, - without advising Turf management - there is no point in further dialogue or negotiations between the two of us.
 
Time is of the essence. There is a lot that Turf Paradise and the horsemen need to do so that we can open racing on Jan. 2. This also includes Racing Commission approval of the proposed live dates. To get this done everyone is going to have to move quickly. Horsemen, you need to let the AZHBPA know your feelings, by emailing to Mr. Hutton at rhuttonaz@yahoo.com or to Mr. Gessmann at wlgessmann@gmail.com Please copy me at vfrancia@turfparadise.net so we know your level of interest and if we’re going to have enough horses to conduct this proposed meet.
 
Sincerely,
 
Vincent Francia
General Manager

Churchill Downs’ $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) will be simulcast this Saturday (Sept. 5) at Turf Paradise and at most of Turf’s OTB sites.
 
Coronavirus protocols, such as the wearing of masks and social distancing, will be in effect at Turf and at all OTB. Wagering at Turf will take place in the first floor of the Grandstand.
 
Turf will open at 7:30 am Saturday to receive the first of the Churchill Downs’ simulcasts beginning at 8:00 am. The Ky Derby post time is 4:01 pm (MST).
 
Tiz The Law, who has drawn the 17 post in the 18 horse field, has been installed the 3-5 favorite.  Tiz The Law has already won the Belmont Stakes in this year’s juxtaposed Triple Crown series due to the Coronavirus. The Preakness Stakes, generally the second leg of the crown, will now be the third and final race of the series on Oct. 3.
 
In addition to the Derby, Churchill Downs will also host six additional graded stakes races: The Turf Classic (G1), Derby City Distaff (G1), Longines Turf Mile (G2), American Turf (G2), the Pat Day Mile (G2) and Iroquois (G3).
 
The following OTB sites will be open. In Phoenix: Castaways, The Burg, Brenda’s Inferno, Gallagher’s 16th, Casey Jones, Padre Murphy’s, American Legion, Azool Grill, Gallagher’s Baseline, Arena Sports Grill.
In Mesa: RT O’Sullivan’s, JJ Madison’s, O’Kelley’s.
In Scottsdale: K’O’Donnell’s, Bevvy, Tavern Grill, RT O’Sullivan’s.
In Chandler: The Ivy, Copper Still, Third Base.
In Glendale: Stinger’s, Charley’s
Other OTBs: Harold’s (Cave Creek), Matt’s (Prescott), Antelope Lanes (Prescott Valley), Safford Bowl (Safford), Peoria Pines (Peoria), Oasis (Goodyear), Quality Inn (Lake Havasu), The Lodge (Pinetop), Bleacher’s (Ahwatukee), Brookside (Surprise), Boston’s Bar (Tempe) and Parkview Tap House (Fountain Hills).
The five OTB’s in Tucson will also be open.