Racing will be conducted primarily on a 5-day a week basis, Saturday thru Wednesday, with post time at 12:55 pm.
A new wager, the Grand Canyon Pick 6, will have its carryover pool seeded with $25,000, beginning opening day. A single winner of the bet will receive the entire carryover pool. However, multiple winners will receive a consolation payoff for having correctly selected the winners of six consecutive races, and the pool will continue to rollover until there is a single winner.
Opening day will also honor Native American veterans, military veterans and first responders. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey is expected to participate in the opening day ceremonies and to present a trophy.
The first 5,000 patrons will receive a free Opening Day T-shirt. There will be free multiple bounce inflatables for the kids and live music.
Eight of the nine Bienvevido entrants have racked up a combined 20 victories this year. Success Rate is winless in seven outings.
Leadem in Ken will probably secure the favorite’s role off his five wins this season and his recent second place finish in Remington Park’s $200,000 David Vance Stakes. The 8-year-old horse finished second in this year’s edition of the Phoenix Gold Cup while en route to his four victories locally.
Kaabraaj won the Bienvenidos race in 2016, then finished fourth in that race in 2017. Kaabraaj has won three of six efforts locally.
Last meet’s leading trainer Robertino Diodoro, who’s won this race three times, has two entrants, Bourbon Cowboy, who is on a two race win skein and Izzy the Warrior.