Turf Paradise and OTBs to Open for Simulcasting, Saturday, May 23

Turf Paradise Race Course and 25 OTBs will open for simulcasting Saturday, May 23. The track and OTB system have been dark since March 14 when Arizona shutdown of businesses due to the Coronavirus went into effect.

Simulcasting will be offered Thursday thru Sunday. However, the OTBs will be open for simulcasting Memorial Day Monday the 25th. Early Bird wagering on-track will start at 9:30 am. Additional simulcast days will be added as the summer progresses and more track come on line.

On track at Turf, wagering will take place on the first floor of the Grandstand. Social distancing and other health protocols will be in effect. 

The 25 OTBs will offer tellers as well as self-service machines, if social distancing allows. Health safety protocols will also be followed at the OTBs.

The 25 OTBs scheduled to open May 23 are: Harold’s (Cave Creek); two sites in Chandler, The Ivy  and Copper Still;  three sites in Mesa, R.T.O’Sullivan’s, O’Kelley’s and JJ Madison; three sites in Scottsdale, K O’Donnell’s, Tavern Grill and R.T. O’Sullivan’s; nine sites in Phoenix, Padre Murphy’s, Arena Sports, Roman’s County Line, Armadillo Grill, Azool Grill, Casey Jones, The Burg, Gallagher’s Baseline and Gallagher’s 16th Street; in Surprise, the Brookside Bar; in Prescott Valley Antelope Lanes and in Tempe Boston’s Bar.

Apache Greyhound Park (Apache Junction) and Max’s Sports Bar (Phoenix) OTBs will open June 5.

In addition four OTBs will be open in Tucson: Tucson Greyhound Park, Famous Sam’s East, Midtown Tavern and Old Father Inn.

Other OTBs will be added in the coming weeks.

Simulcast tracks featured in May will be Churchill Downs, Charlestown, Los Alamitos, Assiniboia, Will Rogers, Fonner Park, Ruidoso Down and Mountaineer Park.

In June additional tracks, such as Belmont Park, Charlestown, Louisiana Downs, Indiana Grand and Emerald Downs, will join the schedule.

A request has been put in with the Department of Racing to simulcast Monarch tracks, such as Santa Anita, Del Mar, Gulfstream Park, etc.

Jerry Simms, owner of Turf Paradise Race Course, has donated $1 million to the Arizona Coronavirus Relief Fund.
 
The fund, part of the Arizona Together initiative established by Governor Doug Ducey, provides financial support for organizations working to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, including funding of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline medical personnel, supporting non-profit organizations that help vulnerable Arizonans through food banks, homeless shelters and domestic violence facilities, among other services.
 
“We all have to do our part in fighting this virus,” said Simms, who has owned the race track for 20 years. “I’m happy I’m able to do mine.”
 
Governor Doug Ducey expressed his thanks in a statement to the Arizona Commerce Authority.

“Businesses throughout the state have done tremendous work to help ensure Arizona comes out on the other side of COVID-19 stronger than ever,” said Governor Ducey. “This generous contribution from Jerry Simms will help our medical professionals and vulnerable populations amid this health emergency. Thank you to Jerry and all our community partners who are stepping up to help others.”
 
Turf Paradise has called Arizona home for more than 50 years and has a long history of contributing to community efforts such as UCP of Central Arizona, and the Glendale Union High School District.
 
Recently, Turf Paradise also donated $25,000 worth of food to the Saint Mary’s Food Bank.
 
Turf Paradise first opened in 1956 as Arizona’s first sport’s franchise. Its racing season was cut short and has been closed since March 14 because of the Coronavirus. Live racing is expected to return in the fall pending direction from Governor Ducey and state health officials.

Today (Tuesday, March 17) Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego ordered all bars and restaurants in the City to close until April 1 due to the Coronavirus. This, of course, affects all of Turf Paradise’s OTBs as well as the track itself, since the track and over 40 OTBs are located in Phoenix’s jurisdiction. Other cities where OTBs are located have followed suit. Therefore all Turf Paradise OTBs will be closed along with the Clubhouse until further notice.

Turf Paradise is ending its season immediately due to the Coronavirus, and to assist Arizona in slowing the spread of the illness. As state and federal officials discourage gatherings of large crowds, Turf Paradise feels compelled to do the responsible thing and end the season early.
 
Recently Governor Doug Ducey declared a public health emergency and he signed a bill that would spend $55 million in Arizona to combat the virus. Turf’s decision to end the season early is in support of Arizona’s public health effort.
 
The track’s Clubhouse and Turf’s network of Off Track Betting locations will remain open for simulcasting at other tracks. In the off-season, the Clubhouse entertains relatively small groups and the risk is minimal.
 
Typically, special event days at Turf Paradise draw crowds of more than 6,000 in addition to hundreds of employees, horsemen, and jockeys.
 
Live racing had been scheduled to run until May 3rd. Media reports indicate the Kentucky Derby, scheduled for May 2nd, may be postponed because of the Coronavirus. Live racing at Turf Paradise will resume in mid-October which is the traditional start of the season.

Rillito Park in Tucson has suspended live racing.
 
Turf Paradise joins professional basketball, baseball, and hockey leagues in suspending large scale events to prevent the spread of the disease. While there have been no documented cases of Coronavirus at Turf Paradise, track management feels it is important to be proactive and to put the health of the fans, employees, horsemen and jockeys first. While this decision will financially impact Turf Paradise, the track places a higher value on being a responsible corporate citizen which has been operating in Arizona since 1956.
 
The NBA initially sought to have teams play to empty venues. However as the risks increased the NBA made the decision to conclude its season early.
 
Conducting a horse races requires large groups of people to work together in close proximity. In addition to jockeys, there are pony riders, outriders, and track maintenance crews. About 1,000 people work in close proximity in the stable area. 
 
“The State of Arizona, Governor Ducey, and responsible sports franchise and business owners are all working together to slow or halt the spread of the Coronavirus. Arizona is at its best when everyone does their part in a crisis,” said Vince Francia, Turf Paradise General Manager.
 
Francia added, “Horseracing involves large numbers of people who must compete and work in close proximity to each other. It would be irresponsible to put them at risk of getting the Coronavirus. As soon as this crisis is over, we look forward to getting back to the business of providing Arizona with thrilling live, local horseracing.”
 
Turf Paradise is Arizona’s first sports franchise, and has operated continuously at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell since 1956.

It was 1976 at Les Bois Park in Boise, Idaho, when Scott Stevens, a few months shy of the legal age of 16-years-old requirement, recorded his first career victory aboard a horse named Truckin Again.
 
Forty-four years later to March 9, 2020 at Turf Paradise Race Course in Phoenix, Arizona, Stevens notched his 5,000th career win aboard Royal Privacy.
 
“A jockey never forgets his first winner,” said Stevens. “And I certainly will remember my 5,000th one. In truth, I’m glad that’s over. My fellow riders certainly didn’t make it easy.”
 
In his last eight mounts leading up to the milestone, Stevens had to settle for five seconds, four of those just a noses or heads shy of the win.
 
“I’m glad I was able to do this for Sandi (Gann),” said Stevens of Royal Privacy’s trainer. Gann is the only female rider to win the Leading Jockey’s title at Turf in 1991 before embarking on her career as a trainer, following a career ending injury as a rider.
 
Stevens, 59, - who has no thoughts of retiring - admits that he doesn’t ride as many horses per year as he once did.
 
“I used to ride about 1,200 horses per year,” he said. “Now I do about 600. Right after the Turf meet ends in early May, I take the summer off and travel. But I’ll ride stakes during the off months.”
 
When Stevens first came to Turf in 1992 he made an impression: he won the leading rider’s title with 155 wins. He then proceeded to capture eight more titles, five of them in succession from 1994-1999.
 
The glamor of being a race rider comes coupled with the ever-existing danger of injury – or worse - that every jockey faces each time they go out on the track.
 
“I’ve broken my collar bone seven times; plenty of cracked ribs and other injuries,” revealed Stevens.
 
(In recent evidence of the inherent dangers of the sport came March, 7, when Stevens, seemingly heading to his 5,000th win in deep stretch, got unseated and thrown hard to the turf when his mount Stratton suffered a catastrophic injury. “I’m ok,” he said, following the spill. “I’ll be sore tonight.” Stevens took off the following race then returned in the eighth and final race, a 1 ½ mile marathon on the grass, to finish a close-up third. “I just want to get this done now,” he said.
 
But there was one injury that occurred in 2010 at Canterbury Downs in Minnesota that Scott thought he might not walk away from.
 
“My horse went down while I was on the lead and the field couldn’t avoid me,” recalled Stevens. “I couldn’t move and both my lungs were collapsed; all my ribs fractured, cracked or broken. They had to medevac me to the hospital. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. It was all in God’s hands.”
 
Stevens credits Pam, his “better half,” for over 20 years, with saving his life that day. “She’s a respiratory nurse in a hospital trauma center (in Phoenix). She was visiting me that day and knew exactly what to do and advise the para-medics.”
 
Stevens survived the ordeal, admitting that it made him realize “just how precious every day is,” and within four and one-half months he was back in the saddle.
 
“Ever since I was a kid I dreamed of being a jockey,” said Stevens. “So I’ve been very lucky because my dream came true. Being a jockey isn’t a job to me. It’s my life.”
 
The current milestone puts Stevens 35th on the Top 100 jockeys list, with retired rider Russell Baze, Numero Uno with 12,842 career wins. Stevens younger brother, Hall of Fame and retired rider Gary Stevens, ended his career with 5,187 victories to rank 32nd among the Top 100 riders.
“My goal now isn’t to better Gary,” Stevens said. “It’s to win my next race.”
Note: In the four decades-plus that Stevens has plied his trade, he has ridden over 33,205 mounts. To complement Stevens 5,000 win plateau he has finished second 4,766 times and third 4,641 for over $43,134,930 in earnings.

Turf Paradise is giving away wallets March 21st and will be welcoming back the Budweiser Clydesdales.
 
The first 4,000 paid admissions will get a free wallet and each wallet will contain a voucher which can be used to place a bet, (for customers 21 and up) or be redeemed for cash value. The value of the vouchers will range from $2 to $100. It depends on the luck of the draw.  The vouchers have a combined value of $12,000.

At the end of the day there will be a drawing in which a lucky group of attendees will compete for $1000 based on the outcome of the last race of the day.
 
 The Budweiser Clydesdales are also returning to Turf Paradise Saturday March 21st.  Gates open at 11am. The Clydesdales arrive at noon and will perform on the main track around 1pm just before the first race.  Before they perform, the Clydesdales will be on display at the east end of the facility where fans will have the opportunity to photograph these legendary horses.
 
Grandstand admission is $3.  General parking is free. There is also a full card of live horseracing.  The day also includes $4 Bud and Bud Light aluminum bottled beer, live music, and a kids fun park with bounce house inflatables.
 
Wallet Day is sponsored by the Arizona Horseman’s Benevolent & Protective Association (AZHBPA).
 
The Budweiser Clydesdales made their first-ever appearance on April 7, 1933. A gift from August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch to their father in celebration of the repeal of Prohibition, the presentation of the original two six-horse hitches of champion Clydesdales moved father, sons and drivers to tears. The phrase “crying in your beer” was officially coined shortly thereafter.
 
Turf Paradise is Arizona’s first sports franchise, and has operated continuously at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell since 1956.  It offers one of the longest racing seasons in the United States thanks to Arizona’s great weather. Through Off Track Betting networks its races are viewed at OTB locations all over the United States and worldwide.

Wiener dog racing returns to Turf Paradise Saturday March 7th. The day also features a full card of live local horseracing. The first Wiener dog race is 11:30am. First post time for the horses is 12:55pm. There’s also a parade of wieners and a wiener dog fashion show. 

In addition to horsepower and paw power, there is also live music, a kids fun park, food and drink specials including $2 hot dogs and $3 beer. 

The Wiener dog races are sponsored by Arizona Adopt a Greyhound. The organization is devoted to finding homes for retired race dogs across the United States uses the proceeds to care for and transport retired race dogs to their new homes.
 
The Wiener Dogs will be racing from 11:30am to 5pm. Prior to the races there will be a Parade of Wieners where all of the dogs entered to race will parade on the main track. The day also features a canine fashion show in which Wiener dogs display their fashion sense as they stroll on the “Dogwalk.”

And while you can’t bet on the Wiener dogs you can watch wager and win on the horse races and Turf Paradise will have a full card of racing on Wiener Mania.


Wiener Dog owners who want to race their pooch can follow this link.  The deadline to enter is 7pm March 5th. Fashion show contestants can register the day of the event. Here are some video highlights of last year’s Wiener Dog races.
 
Turf Paradise is Arizona’s first sports franchise, and has operated continuously at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell since 1956.  It offers one of the longest racing seasons in the United States thanks to Arizona’s great weather. Through Off Track Betting networks its races are viewed at OTB locations all over the United States and worldwide.

Upset minded Swagsational closed late to take the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby and The Adrie Factor delivered a popular victory in the $30,000 Arizona Oaks Saturday at Turf Paradise.
 
Ridden by the up and coming Kassie Guglielmino, Swagsational ($19.00) watched the race unfold in front of him and then pounced late to overtake stablemates Wicked Winnings and the favored Race Home to win by three-quarters of a length in the field of nine 3-year-olds.
 
Owned by Keith Swagerty and trained by Heath Lawrence, Swagsational, a son of Gallant Son, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.50 for his third consecutive win and his second consecutive stakes victory in 10 lifetime starts.
 
$30,000 Arizona Oaks
The Adrie Factor ($4.20) bided her time under Heribert Martinez while pace-setter and eventual runnerup Our Magic Moment clicked off the early splits. The strategy paid off with a 3 ¼ length victory. Tarfficiskillingme rallied to finish third in the field of seven 3-year-old fillies.
 
Owned by Harley Kowalsky and trained by Jonathan Wong, the Golden Gate shipper The Adrie Factor, who was scoring her fourth win in eight outings and here second consecutive stakes tally, covered the one mile in 1:39.00.

Three-year-olds will be in the spotlight in the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby and $30,000 Arizona Oaks Saturday.
 
            The Arizona Oaks, to be run at one mile drew a field of seven fillies while the Turf Paradise Derby attracted a field of nine and will be run at 1 1/16 miles. Post time is set for 12:55 pm.
 
Arizona Oaks, 5th Race
The Adrie Factor was installed the overwhelming 2-5 morning line favorite. And with good reason. The Jonathan Won-trained, northern California shipper cruised into Turf Paradise Jan. 25 and took down the Jack Coady Stakes with ease. Prior to that the daughter of The Factor won two of three efforts at Golden Gate plus a runner up effort there in a $75,000 stakes.
 
Intriguing is Canadian import Catchacougar (7-2) trained by Phil Hall who’s won three of four outings north of the border including the Princess Margaret Stakes.
 
The Dan McFarlane-trained Our Magic Moment broke her maiden going a mile but then got bumped at the start of the Jack Coady Stakes and could only manage a fourth place finish.
 
Turf Paradise Derby, 8th Race
Arizona Jeremy (3-1) and Race Home (5-2) have done everything right. Arizona Jeremy has been in the money in 6 or 7 outings, including an impressive win over Race Home in the Lost in the Fog Stakes. Arizona Jeremy’s recent effort, and his first outing as a 3-year-old for trainer Molly Pearson, was a third place finish in Sunland Park’s $104,000 Riley Allison Derby at one mile.
 
Race Home has had four fewer races than Arizona Jeremy but he’s won at today’s distance of 1 1/16 when winning Emerald Downs’ $100,000 Futurity. The Manny Ortiz-trained son of Race Day will be making his first start as a 3-year-old.
 
But this race appears more wide open than just a two-horse grudge match.
Swagsational (9-2), after going winless in seven maiden efforts broke his maiden at Turf as a sophomore than followed that with a win in the Startac Stakes on the turf.
Hondo Lane (8-1), trained by Shawn Davis comes off an 11-length maiden win at Zia Park in late November.
And the Kevin Eikleberry-trained Herzen ships in from Zia Park having just broke his maiden by 4 ½ lengths.