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Estimated $4 Million in Purses for Upcoming Meet at Turf Paradise

10/23/2020

Race Days Change to Monday thru Friday

Phoenix – An estimated $4 million in purse money will be available when Turf Paradise opens its 84-day live meet, running from January 4 thru May 1, 2021.

Racing will be conducted on a 5-day a week basis, Monday thru Friday (a change from the original schedule of Saturday thru Wednesday). Kentucky Derby Day Saturday, May 1, will be the lone exception.

“Our numbers revealed a simple truth: we handle more on the weekdays than on the weekends, especially wagering coming from our out of state markets,” said track general manager Vincent Francia. “Better handle equals more purse money for the horsemen.”

The Phoenix-based track has been dark since having to curtail its live meet in progress on March 14 due to the Coronavirus. But simulcasting at the track and at Turf’s OTB system continued, accruing $2.1 million from March 14 to September 3. An additional $1.9 million is expected to be generated from then until Dec. 31, for a total of $4 million.

“The whole purpose of the January to May meet is to get money to the horsemen, to help them get back on their feet after the March cancellation,” said Francia. “Fans are welcome in limited number because of the Coronavirus. But the meet is really for the horsemen.”

The first floor of the Grandstand and outside on the track apron will be open for wagering. The Clubhouse and Turf Club will be closed.

Daily purses will range from $80,000 to $100,000.

“Because of the increased purse money we’re expecting to have plenty of horses,” said racing secretary Robbie Junk. “Bottom maiden claimers will race for $8,000 as compared to $6,300. Open allowance will be up to $23,500 from $19,000. And bottom $3,000 claimers will be racing from $9,000 instead of $7,000. “

Details are still being worked out with the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders for their purses.

“What we know so far with the breed races is that they will be 5 to 10% higher than the open races,” said Junk. “I’m still working through the details with Marv Fleming (President, Az Thoroughbred Breeders).”

Horsemen, Management Agree to Resume Live Racing at Turf Paradise Beginning January

10/16/2020

Turf Paradise and the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) have agreed to resume live racing at the Phoenix-based oval with an 84-day meeting running from January 2 thru May 1, 2021.

The meet would run on a five-day a week schedule, Saturday thru Wednesday. Horsemen can arrive Nov. 19 for stall preparations and then bring horses into the stable area Nov. 25. Training would begin Dec. 2.

Following months of negotiations between the AZHBPA and Turf management following a March 14 cancellation of the live meet in progress due to the Coronavirus, the two sides were able to craft a 26-point agreement. The forum for on-going discussions between the two sides was provided by Rudy Casillas, the Director for the Division of Racing, the state’s regulatory body for the sport.

In a letter penned by Casillas and addressed to Bob Hutton, President of the AZHBPA and Jerry Simms, the owner of Turf Paradise, he said, “Many thanks to both of you for finally reaching terms to allow for the racing industry to move forward. The Licensees and horseracing patrons will be pleased.”

“The AZHBPA is all about live racing,” said Hutton. “The AZHBPA is enthusiastic to help provide the opportunity for horsemen to race close to home and be with their families. Racing close to home will help eliminate unnecessary travel expenses and financial anxiety for our members.”

“We’re happy for our horsemen that they’re going to be racing,” said Simms. “Unfortunately we still have to deal with Covid-19, and we will. We thank Rudy Casillas for bringing us together and getting this done.”

Turf Paradise 2021 Winter/Spring Meet Edges Closer to Reality

10/9/2020

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/turf-paradise-2021-winter-spring-meet-edges-closer-to-reality/

By T. D. Thornton

With both Turf Paradise and Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) representatives telling the Arizona Racing Commission (AZRC) Thursday that they are now close to agreeing on a contract for an 84-date, Jan. 2-May 1 race meet, AZRC chairman Rory Goree indicated that the commission stands ready to approve the dates request, which has already been submitted to the board but was not placed on the agenda for a vote at the Oct. 8 video meeting.
Approval could come via a special AZRC session that might get scheduled before the next monthly commission meeting Nov. 12.
“The primary question is ‘Can we be ready?'” Turf Paradise general manager Vincent Francia asked rhetorically during his presentation before the commissioners. “Yes. I know exactly what has to be done, and I have the staff here to get it done before the horses get here on Dec. 2.”

Leroy Gessmann, who serves as both the AZHBPA executive director and the National HBPA president, also expressed optimism. “We’re hoping soon some things will be resolved,” he said. “Hopefully we’re close, and we get this wrapped up soon.” Goree said he was well aware that Turf Paradise management wanted the 2021 winter/spring dates request to be voted on during Thursday’s meeting, but he explained commissioners didn’t want to be put in a position of voting on any race meet until a contract has been inked.

“Yes, I did see the dates come before us to be put on the agenda,” Goree said. “[But] we don’t want them on the agenda until we know we have an agreement between [Turf Paradise] and the HBPA. Then that way we know we’re approving something that everyone’s finally in agreement on,” Added Francia: “It will come as no surprise I’d like to request a special session as soon as possible once those dates are ready to go before the commission, because I’m running out of time. It’s not on my side right now.”

The newfound spirit of cooperation between the AZHBPA and Turf Paradise stands in sharp contrast to the acrimony-tinged AZRC meeting on Sept. 10, at which members of the state’s racing community railed at Turf Paradise management and desperately implored the AZRC to take some form of action so that live racing can get back up and running in Arizona-even if that meant transferring Turf Paradise’s customary block of dates to competitor Arizona Downs.

Turf Paradise ended its spring meet prematurely Mar. 14 as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation. In August, Turf Paradise withdrew its dates request for a traditional 2020-21 autumn-to-spring meet, citing liability concerns related to COVID-19. In between, the Arizona Downs summer meet never ran because local health officials would not extend permission to reopen under pandemic conditions.

Beyond the pandemic, a prolonged fight over off-track betting (OTB) privileges, simulcast signals, and how the horsemen’s purse money can be used has been batted back and forth in the courts, in the press, and during commission meetings, clouding the future of the state’s two commercial tracks.
Francia said Turf Paradise would have a two-phase approach to getting the idle plant ready for reopening. The barn area, frontside, main dirt track, and turf course all need to be put back in order. Simultaneously, all of those common areas need to be refurbished with COVID-19 safeguards in place, like those at every other track in the nation that has resumed racing during the pandemic.

One bone of AZHBPA contention that has consistently come up since Turf Paradise shut down seven months ago is that track management has allegedly sold off equipment that is essential to operating a race meet. Goree asked Francia directly what impact that might have on safely operating the facility.

“No impact whatsoever,” Francia said, although he did not detail what actually has been sold. “That equipment has nothing to do with the essential [things needed] to run a race meet. Francia then listed examples-tractors, harrows, water trucks, ambulances-of equipment that remains “on-site here at Turf. None of the essential equipment has been sold.”

Francia continued, focusing on the negotiations: “We are very close to working out all terms of agreement. We will probably continue our discussions after this commission meeting to try to finalize the last few minor things that are sticking points. But we’ve made a lot of progress, and I’m quite confident that we’re going to get this completed.”

Turf Paradise has submitted live race dates for an 84-day winter meet

9/25/2020

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

Turf Paradise Offers Horsemen A Live Race Winter Meet

9/17/2020

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

Kentucky Derby Simulcast at Turf Paradise and OTBs This Saturday

9/1/2020

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.

Written to respond to a post written by Mr. Bob Hutton, President of the AZHBPA

8/17/2020

Hutton_Response.pdf
File Size:	1521 kb
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Dear Horsemen,
This letter is written to respond to a post written by Mr. Bob Hutton, President of the AZHBPA that appeared on Facebook on August 15. This letter is written to clarify some of the statements and impressions in Mr. Hutton’s letter. In other words, to set the record straight.

Mr. Simms has owned Turf for 20 years; 19 of those 20 years race meets were successfully conducted, from beginning to end. It’s only this year, specifically when Governor Ducey declared a state of emergency on March 11 because of the Coronavirus that a race meet has been cut short. The Coronavirus is the only reason Turf cut short its race meet on March 14 and the only reason Turf withdrew its request before the Arizona Racing Commission on August 13 to run a race meet from Nov. 1 to May 1, 2021. Turf does not want the liability of running a race meet while the Coronavirus is active.

Settlement Agreement (Attachment 1) The Settlement Agreement was written by Mr. Casillas, Director of the Arizona Division of Racing, who also served as the mediator for Mr. Simms and Mr. Hutton as the two men compromised, negotiated and eventually signed the agreement in good faith on March 22. Either side could have argued specific points of the agreement or declined to sign the agreement. But both sides agreed to sign. Read Attachment 1 for the complete terms of the agreement.

In his posting Mr. Hutton gives the impression that the Settlement Agreement, which by definition is to settle differences between parties, was somehow arrived at without the consent of both parties. On the contrary, both Mr. Simms and Mr. Hutton signed the 14 point agreement. For example, the parties agreed to split the costs < 50‐50 > of maintaining the backside and training on the man track for 45 days. The AZHBPA was invoiced weekly and the invoices were promptly paid. When the 45 days expired the AZHBPA asked for an additional 10 days, at their own expense, and the request was granted.

It appears that Mr. Hutton’s personal feelings toward Mr. Simms and Turf are clouding his judgement. The HBPA is to be neutral, treating all tracks equally, but Turf is treated differently. When Arziona Downs abbreviated their race meet they continued to simulcast without racing live. When that track announced that it would not be able to conduct a meet because of Yavapai County and the City of Prescott Valley’s concerns about the Coronavirus, Arizona Downs, without objection from the AZHBPA, maintained their simulcasting and OTB system. Why not the same for Turf?

Arizona Downs Letter (Attachment 2) On May 22 Turf became aware of a letter from Mr. Dave Auther of Arizona Downs to Mr. Casillas. Specifically what caught our attention in the letter was the following that revealed how Arizona Downs was going to fund its purses: “This will include a contribution from the HBPA toward purses. HBPA has a plan to secure purse money from the Turf Paradise purse fund.” You cannot use the purse money of one race track to subsidize the purses of another track.

Mr. Hutton stated that without live racing there would be no simulcasting. Turf’s contract with the AZHBPA goes until May 2021. Turf expects the AZHBPA to honor that contract.

At a meeting in early August with Mr. Hutton and two members of the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association in my office at Turf, Mr. Hutton asked me if I believed a contract existed between Turf and the AZHBPA. I replied in the affirmative that I believed a contract existed between us. Mr. Hutton then asked Mr. Simms (who was participating by phone) the same question. Mr. Simms answered that he not only believed a contract existed but that it was in effect until May 2021. Mr. Hutton responded that he did not believe a contract existed because we cancelled the race meet due to the Coronavirus, thus rendering the contract void. Mr. Simms then asked Mr. Hutton that if he really believed that, then why are we having a discussion about contractual matters. Mr. Simms then said, “Let’s continue to talk.” Mr. Hutton then stood up abruptly and said “We’re done,” and left my office.

The abrupt ending of the meeting notwithstanding, Turf has never declined a phone call, an email/ text or a request to meet with the AZHPBA. That door is still open.

Sincerely,
Vincent Francia
General Manager

See pdf document above for the rest of the attachement.

Turf Paradise Cancels Meet Because Of Coronavirus

8/13/2020

Turf Paradise has cancelled the upcoming meet due to the Coronavirus. The restrictions on larger crowds at the facility combined with the economic uncertainties associated with periodic closures and necessary social distance requirements, make it impossible for Turf Paradise to conduct a financially practical race meet for both the track and the horsemen.

On August 13, Turf Paradise informed the Arizona Racing Commission that it must decline the proposed race dates, 121 days, which would have spanned from November to May. The track’s normal race meet days have traditionally gone from October to May.

In addition to challenges regarding spectators, horse racing requires large groups of people to work together in close proximity. Racing involves far more people than just jockeys; there are pony riders, outriders, and track maintenance crews. About 1,000 people work in close proximity in the stable area.

Uncertainty surrounding the operation of bars that host Off Track Betting locations was also a factor as frequent closures, ongoing restrictions, and a general decline in business because of the Coronavirus greatly reduced revenues from OTB’s.

“Health concerns and economic realities have left us with no choice but the cancel the meet,” said Vince Francia, Turf Paradise General Manager.

Turf Paradise is Arizona’s first sports franchise, and has operated continuously at the same location at 19th Ave and Bell since 1956.

Two New Commissioners for Arizona Racing Commission

7/17/2020

The Governor appointed Jana Propheter and Holly Hover to the Arizona Racing Commission. The Commission regulates and supervises racing and pari-mutuel/simulcast wagering.

Jana Propheter is the Assistant Field Research Manager for Metrostudy, a housing data provider. In her role, she recruits and trains surveyors and analyzes data for quarterly reports. She has worked with and owned horses and ponies for 30 years. Jana earned a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from Arizona State University.

Holly Hover is the manager and trainer of Holly Hover Performance Horses in Cave Creek. In her role, she specializes in the preparation of youth and amateur competitors. In 2015, she was named Most Valuable Professional for the American Quarter Horse and was named Professional Horsewoman of the Year in 2017. Holly volunteers her time in the community and most recently served as the 2019 Head Western Coach for the Arizona State University Equestrian Team.

Super Stakes Day for Belmont Stakes Simulcast, Saturday, June 20

6/11/2020

In what will surely go down in racing annals as a “most unusual” year, the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, will now be the first leg of the famed series when run on Saturday, June 20. In addition, this year’s Belmont Stakes will be run at 1 1/8 miles and not at its usual distance of 1 ½ miles.

The Triple Crown will continue following the Belmont Stakes with the Kentucky Derby, September 5 and the Preakness Stakes October 3. It’s a juxtaposed Triple Crown due to the impact of the Coronavirus.

In addition to the $1,000,000 Belmont, five other stakes will be on the card, including the $300,000 Acorn, the Jaipur and Wood Stephens, each worth $250,000 and two stakes of $150,000 each, The Pennine Ridge and Wonder Again.

Early bird wagering on track will open at 8:00 am. Belmont Park’s first race is 8:45 am (MST). The Belmont Stakes will go as the 10th of 12 races with a post time of 2:42 pm (MST).

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