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.

Mr. Jagermeister had a message for two previous winners of Saturday’s 64th running of the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise: I’m now the best sprinter on the grounds.
 
With Leandro Goncalves up Mr. Jagermeister ($5.60) beat last year’s winner Minister of Soul by three-quarters of a length with two-time Gold Cup winner Chief Cicatriz third in the field of eight older horses.
 
Owned by Kristin Boice, Leslie Cummings and Valorie Lund and trained by Lund, Mr. Jagerneister covered the 6-furlongs in 1:08.2.
 
It was the 11th career win for Mr. Jagermeister, who finished third in this race last year. The 5-year-old son of Atta Boy Roy now has over $547,000 in earnings
 
$30,000 Sun City Handicap
The ever-patient Kassie Guglielmino bided her time aboard Chance to Shine ($16.00) as pace-setters favored True To Herself and Unique Factor cut fast early splits, then went on to post a 2 ½  length victory over fast-closing longshot Deputy Dora with Unique Factor holding third in the field of seven fillies and mares. Golden Gate shipper and favorite Chance to Shine finished fourth.
 
Owned by Peggy Thompson and trained by Dan McFarlane, Chance to Shine captured her second stakes tally of the season and now has won six of 12 outings. Chance to Shine covered the one mile over firm turf in 1:35.0.
 
$30,000 Turf Paradise Handicap
With a sweeping last to first move by Enrique Garcia aboard Clear the Mine ($23.40) caught Primo Touch at the wire with the pace-setting Gato Guapo third in the field of eight older horses.
 
Trained by Jose Luna Silva for owner Tyree Wolesensky, Clear the Mine covered the 1 1/16 miles over the lawn in 1:40.52.

Last year’s champion and a two-time winner of this race are among nine sprinters lined up for the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Saturday at Turf Paradise.
 
The Gold Cup is part of a Super Saturday trio of stakes which also include the $30,000 Turf Paradise Handicap and $30,000 Sun City Handicap. The 8-race card will have a post time of 12:40 pm.
 
Fan amenities include a free T-shirt to the first 5,000 fans, a Meet & Greet with riders autographing a complimentary jockey colony photo, bull dog racing and fashion show, a Kids’ Fun Park with free multiple bounce inflatables and pony rides and live music provided by the popular duo Dok and Gal.
 
Phoenix Gold Cup, 6 furlongs, 7th Race
Chief Cicatriz, one of two consecutive Gold Cup winners (2017-2018) and last year’s winner Minister of Soul are among the 9 sprinters with trophy eyes on a win in the track’s marquee sprint race. Another with previous Gold Cup experience is the talented Mr. Jägermeister, who finished third in this race last year.
 
Looking for a three-peat, Chief Cicatriz has been installed the even-money morning-line favorite. The Shawn Davis-trained son of Munnings has rattled off four consecutive stakes victories, one at Turf and three in New Mexico. A Grade 3 winner of Churchill Downs’ Aristides Stakes, ‘The Chief’ likes to play the game close to the lead, daring any competitor to challenge his speed and stamina.
 
Minister of Soul (10-1) has managed only won victory in ten starts since his Gold Cup win and that was in an optional claiming event in Albuquerque. However, his three 5-furlong workouts at Turf, two of them bullet works, suggest he may be coming into the Gold Cup in peak form.
 
Mr. Jägermeister (5-2) finished fourth in his most recent start to Grade 1 winner Ohio in the Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile on the turf. Although the son of Atta Boy Roy has won on the grass, nine of his 10 lifetime wins have come on the dirt. The Fitzsimmons was Mr. Jägermeister’s first start off a two month layoff. He followed that effort with two bullet 5 furlong workouts.
 
Shipping in from Santa Anita is Royal Trump, who’s won four of nine efforts in 2019 primarily against high-priced southern California claimers.
 
Sun City Handicap, 1 Mile, Turf, 5th race
A field of seven fillies and mares is headed by Golden Gate shipper True to Herself (2-1). The Irish bred mare by Clodovil won two of six efforts last year, alternating between grass and synthetic surface.
 
Several credible locals will give the shipper all she can handle: Kool Kate, winner of the Glendale Handicap; Unique Factor, winner of the Kachina; Chance to Shine, winner of the Queen of the Green and Tee Em Eye, winner of the Phoenix and second in the recent Sun Devil Sprint.
 
Turf Paradise Handicap, 1 1/16, Turf, 8th Race
Super Saturday will not go out with a whimper as a field of eight, headed by the ultra-consistent Arizona Moon (2-1) takes to the grass in the day’s finale.
 
Arizona Moon got the locals cheering heartily when he gave Grade 1 winner Ohio all he could handle in the Fitzsimmons Mile, losing by a neck. The 7-year-old son of Macho Uno, trained by Stacy Campo, who rallies late and strong, has been in the money in 14 of 20 outings with four victories over the local turf course.
 
Gato Guapo (9-5) finished second to eventual local Horse of the Meet Spooky Channel (who recently won Gulfstream Park’s Grade 3 McKnight Stakes), in this race last year, losing by a diminishing head. Gato Guapo won the Walter Cluer Memorial in November.
 
Clear the Mine (7-2) is coming off back-to-back local wins after shipping in from southern California. A son of Mineshaft, it will be his first start over the local lawn.