​Turf Paradise, Arizona’s first sports franchise, is helping Arizona families deal with inflation by offering affordable family fun as it hosts Super Saturday March 11th
That’s why Turf Paradise and the Arizona Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association are bringing back wallet day after more than decade. Turf Paradise is also holding five stakes races that day along with a full card of live local horse racing.
On March 11th the Phoenix racetrack and the HBPA will be giving away free wallets to the first 4,000 paid admissions. And each wallet will have betting vouchers valued between $2 and $500.
 
The day also includes a full card of live local horseracing including:
The $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup
The $75,000 Arizona Oaks
The $75,000 Turf Paradise Derby
The $100,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile
The $60,000 Queen Of The Green Stakes
There’s also live music and a family fun park with bounce house inflatables. Turf Paradise is committed to offering affordable family fun to the community it has served for more than six decades. General admission is just $3 and general parking is free. Gates open at 11am.
Turf Paradise has continually operated at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell since 1956. In addition to live local horseracing Turf Paradise is also home to Unibet Sports Book allowing fans to bet on their favorite sports teams.
“Free wallets are a fan favorite and bringing them back when we are having five signature stakes races helps bring the day from good to great,” said Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia.”
Media seeking interviews with jockeys, trainers, and longtime employees can contact Mike Scerbo at Mscerbo@TurfParadise.net or 602 615 6523.
Turf Paradise at 19th Ave and Bell opened its doors in 1956 and is Arizona’s first sports franchise. It is home to Unibet Sports Book and operates more than 40 Off Track Betting locations in Arizona. 

Two one-hundred grand stakes, the Phoenix Gold Cup and the Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile, top a five Stakes Super Saturday March 11 at Turf Paradise.
 
The Phoenix Gold Cup at six furlongs and the Cotton Fitzsimmons at one mile on the turf, will be complemented by the $60,000 Queen of the Green and two seventy-five grand stakes for three-year-olds, the Arizona Oaks at one mile and the Turf Paradise Derby at 1 1/16 miles.
 
These stakes have a history of being a square off between locally based horses and California shippers. This year’s edition is no exception. A look at the local versus shipper standouts in each of the five stakes.
 
4th Race: $60,000 Queen of the Green, Fillies & Mares, 4-year-olds & Up, 1 1/16 mile (turf), 8 entered.
FAIRY TALE BLISS – In the barn of local trainer Dan McFarlane, this Cal-based 7-year-old mare is 10 of 20 lifetime grass efforts.
ICE QUEEN – This Cal shipper has been racing at Santa Anita, finding moderate success among low level turf claimers.
YANKEE DOLLAR – Locally based 4-year-old folly is lightly raced but improving with each start. The front-running daughter of California Chrome will have leading rider Harry Hernandez aboard.
 
5th Race: $75,000 Arizona Oaks, Fillies, 3-year-olds, 1 mile, 8 entered.
FAYETTE FOX – Recently claimed for $62,500 out of her maiden win at Santa Anita by Vladimir Cerin, who won this race in 2008, the daughter of Sharp Azteca is looking to capitalize on immediate black type if she can win the Oaks.
BEYOND AWESOME – A confirmed front-runner for leading trainer Justin Evans, this sophomore already has two stakes wins to her credit and won five of eight races overall.
 
6th Race: $75,000 Turf Paradise Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles, 12 entered.
THIRSTY JOHN – Winner of the Cal Cup Derby, it is this colt’s race to lose for trainer Peter Miller. Only entrant sporting a win at the distance.
​TIZ TOCK – Fellow west coast shipper, claimed from his maiden win by John Sadler.
ARIZONA ANDREW – A winner of 5 of 7 starts, including three stakes, for local trainer Kevin Eikleberry
 
7th Race: $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup, 4-year-olds & Up, 6 furlongs, 12 entered.
HOWBEIT – Brings a Grade 2 win at Santa Anita to this deep field of sprinters. One of two nominated by trainer Mark Glatt. The other being ESCAPE ROUTE.
MINISTER OF SOUL – One of two locally based horses that have won the Gold Cup (2019) along with TIGER DAD (2022). While MINISTER OF SOUL will be battle up front TIGER DAD will make an off the pace late rush.
 
8th Race: $100,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile, 3-year-olds and up, 8 furlongs (turf), 12 entered
SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT - Grade 1 winner and multiple graded runner-ups, including
a close finish for the win in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Mile, this Michael McCarthy front-runner is the one to beat. If there’s a chink in this $1.8 million earner’s armor, it’s his last three graded starts show signs he may be tailing off, although his recent works indicate he just needed a breather.

As the Valley gets ready to welcome another NFL Championship game, Arizona’s first sports franchise, Turf Paradise, is thanking its local fans with live local horseracing, free T-Shirts, live music, an opportunity to meet the jockeys.

Decades before the Cardinals scored their first touchdown in Arizona, years before the Phoenix Suns sunk their first basket, and long before the Mercury, or Coyotes decided to set up shop in Arizona, there was Turf Paradise, Arizona’s first sports franchise.

On February 11th  Turf Paradise celebrates 67 years in Phoenix with a giant party that includes free T-Shirts for the first 3,000 paid admissions and a full card of live local horseracing including the $60,000 Turf Paradise Turf Stakes and the $60,000 Molly P. Stakes.

There’s also live music and a family fun park with bounce house inflatables. Turf Paradise is committed to offering affordable family fun to the community it has served for more than six decades. General admission is just $3 and general parking is free. The day also features$3 hotdogs and $5 Michelob Ultras.
Gates open at 11am.

Turf Paradise has continually operated at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell since 1956. When it first opened, there were no paved roads in the area and few if any homes. Today an entire city has grown up around this iconic racetrack.
In addition to live local horseracing Turf Paradise is also home to Unibet Sports Book allowing fans to bet on their favorite sports teams.

“Whether you are a casual fan, an expert handicapper, or simply looking for a great way to spend the day with your family Turf Paradise is a sure thing when it comes to affordable family fun,” said Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia.”
Media seeking interviews with jockeys, trainers, and longtime employees can contact Mike Scerbo at Mscerbo@TurfParadise.net or 602 615 6523.

Turf Paradise at 19th Ave and Bell opened its doors in 1956 and is Arizona’s First Sports franchise. It is home to Unibet Sports Book and operates more than 40 Off Track Betting locations in Arizona.

After an especially wet winter forced Turf Paradise to cancel numerous races, the Phoenix racetrack took the bold step of renovating its racing surface.

The renovation was overseen by Turf Paradise Track Consultant Steve Wood, one of the most renowned racetrack experts in the country. Mr. Wood is a former track superintendent for Oak Tree, Del Mar, and Santa Anita race meets.
In order to give the racing surface a fresh start, 19,000 tons of existing dirt and sand was removed from the main track. Crews also lowered the drain inside the rail by 8 inches to ensure proper drainage.

Crews then added 12 hundred tons of quality sand and 450 yards of organics. Wood used the highest-grade sand (#10 Mesh) available with the smallest grain diameter. The track was surveyed with a sonar grader and rechecked with a handheld laser. While the materials are new and high quality, Wood said the overall composition should be familiar enough to the horses accustomed to racing at Turf Paradise.

Wood notes that the surface was surveyed within a third of an inch, “And is as perfect as we can get it.” Crews also surveyed both chutes and added sand to them as well.

The training track was rebuilt with the materials removed from the main track and that track has been surveyed as well. The sand was also repurposed to improve the bridle paths on the backside.

Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “Maintaining the best and safest racing surface for our horses and jockeys is the priority.”
​
So as to prevent any major disruptions to the racing schedule, the track renovations were completed in three and a half days. And to ensure continued track quality, grade markers have been posted every 8th of a mile.
Click here to see a short video on some of the renovation efforts.
 
Turf Paradise at 19th Ave and Bell opened its doors in 1956 and is Arizona’s First Sports franchise. It is home to Unibet Sports Book and operates more than 40 Off Track Betting locations in Arizona.

The horses are back, and the family fun returns to Turf Paradise Thanksgiving weekend, featuring live local horseracing, Unibet sports betting, and free T-shirts.
On Friday Turf Paradise will be selling $2 hotdogs and $2 Popcorn. DJ Mr. P-Body will be playing music at the track apron. General admission Friday is $3.
On Saturday, Turf Paradise is giving away T-shirts to the first 2000 paid admissions. The day also includes live music from the Aaron Nelson Project and a family fun park with bounce house inflatables. General admission Saturday is also just $3. Gates open at 11am for paid admissions.
First post time for both days is 12:40pm.
The weekend also features heart-stopping horseracing including:

• Friday-The $25,000 Classy Sheikh. Three Year Olds and Upward.870 Yards.
• Saturday-The $60,000 Guaranteed Glendale Stakes. Fillies And Mares Three Year Olds and Upward. One Mile And One Sixteenth(Turf).
• Saturday-The$60,000 Guaranteed Walter R. Cluer Memorial Stakes. Three Year Olds and Upward. Seven And One Half Furlongs(Turf).

Turf’s Thanksgiving celebration began decades ago as the place to go for affordable family fun.
General Manager Vince Francia said, “As the economy impacts Arizona, Turf Paradise is proud to offer an affordable way to entertain families and fans as we have been doing since 1956.”
Turf Paradise, located at 19th Ave and Bell Road, first opened its doors in 1956. It has maintained Arizona’s horse racing tradition for more than six decades and is Arizona’s FIRST sports franchise.

The horses are back as Turf Paradise gets ready to start its 67th season Friday November 4th and Saturday November 5th with live local horse racing and the simulcast of the $28 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Championships.
 
Unibet Sports Betting is also on-site allowing fans to watch, wager and win on their favorite sports teams. Turf Paradise’s Grandstand and Clubhouse restaurants and bars are also back.

The first post time is 12:20pm Friday and 11:30am Saturday. Gates open both days at 9am.

Two stakes races will be featured opening weekend:
 
Friday, November 4, 2022
$60,000 Guaranteed Hank Mills, Sr. Stakes
For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six ½ Furlongs
 
Saturday, November 5, 2022
$60,000 Guaranteed Jeff & Jack Coady, Sr. Stakes
For Fillies And Mares Three Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs
 
And for fans who can’t get to the track, there are more than 40 Off Track Betting locations statewide.

Opening day is just the beginning. The meet will run from opening day November 4th thru May 6th.  Give-aways and special event days are returning as well.
 
Turf Paradise General Manager Vincent Francia said, “Turf Paradise is back in a big way. We are bringing back fan favorites in addition to featuring Unibet Sports Betting. And the return of weekend racing will give more fans more time to enjoy horseracing live and in person.
 
Who: Turf Paradise
What: Opening Weekend at Turf Paradise
When: Friday November 4th and Saturday November 5th
Where: Turf Paradise 1501 West Bell Road
Why: To start the 67th season of horseracing in Arizona
How Much: Grandstand admission is free Monday through Friday and just $3 on Saturdays
Online www.turfparadise.com

Turf Paradise, located at 19th Ave and Bell Road, first opened its doors in 1956. It has maintained Arizona’s horse racing tradition for more than six decades and is Arizona’s FIRST sports franchise.

Turf Paradise Race Course opens its 66th season this weekend, Nov. 4 and 5, with the return of live racing and the two-day simulcast of the $28 million Breeders’ Cup Championship.

Friday’s post time will be 12:40 pm while Saturday’s first live race will be 11:30 am.

Turf Paradise’s 130-day live meet will run from Nov. 4 through May 8, 2023. From opening day through February 12, Super Bowl Sunday, racing will be offered 5-days week, Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Following the Super Bowl, Sundays will be added to the 5-day a week schedule, with live racing offered Saturday through Wednesday.
Opening day’s featured race will be the $60,000 Hank Mills Stakes and Saturday’s feature, the $60,000 Jeff and Jack Coady, Sr. stakes.

But the focus for two-day opening weekend will be on this, the 39th edition of the Breeders’ Cup, simulcast from Keeneland Race Course. The 14-race championship, 5 races Friday, 9 Saturday, features the annual showdown among America’s finest thoroughbreds while also going up against Europe’s best, especially in the six scheduled turf races.