Iconic Track Celebrates With Free T-Shirts And Ceremony Honoring Veterans, First Responders
The waiting is almost over for horseracing fans as Turf Paradise gets ready to start its 63rd season October 13th. In addition to a full card of live, local horseracing the day will also feature ceremonies honoring veterans and first responders. Plus the first 5,000 paid admissions will receive a free Opening Day t-shirt.
The day also features live music, a kids’ fun park and a barbeque tent.
The season begins as fans are celebrating yet another Triple Crown victory as Justify took the honors trained by Arizona’s own Bob Baffert who ran horses at Turf Paradise in the 1990’s.
Opening day’s featured race will be the $30,000 Bienvenidos Stakes.
Gates open at 11am October 13th and the first post time is 12:55. As always Grandstand admission is $3 and general parking is free.
Turf Paradise will also be holding ceremonies throughout the day honoring veterans, Native America veterans and first responders in addition to offering free grandstand admission to veterans, active military, as well as police officers and fire fighters. Beneficiaries of these events will be MCLEF (Marine Corp Law Enforcement Foundation) and the Southwest Indian Foundation.
In addition to live horseracing, fans can watch, wager, and win on simulcasts from major racetracks from around the country. And for fans who can’t get to the track, there are 58 Off Track Betting locations statewide.
The 131-day meet features a stakes program worth $2 million, including the $30,000 Bienvenidos Stakes on Opening Day October 13th. Other states races include the $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile (Jan. 12) the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup (Feb. 9), and the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby (Feb. 16).
Opening day is just the beginning. The season also includes:
- Two Day Breeders Cup Party November 2nd and 3rd (All day buffet on the 3rd)
- A Thanksgiving Weekend Party
- Super Saturday February 9th featuring the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup
- 63rd Anniversary Party featuring the $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile January 12
- Wiener Dog Races March 9th
- Kentucky Derby Party May 4th
Turf Paradise General Manager Vincent Francia said, “As new fans discover the sport of horseracing thanks to another Triple Crown winner, we also want to welcome back our current fans who have been waiting all summer to watch, wager and win on live and local horseracing. We also want to devote part of the day to honor the men and women who serve their country and their community.”
Who: Turf Paradise
What: Opening Day at Turf Paradise
When: October 13th Gates open at 11a.m.
Where: Turf Paradise 1501 West Bell Road
Why: To start the 63 season of horseracing in Arizona
How Much: Grandstand admission is just $3
More Info: Call (602) 942-1101/ Online www.turfparadise.com
Turf Paradise’s 63rd season runs from October 13th to May 5th. Turf Paradise, located at 19th Ave and Bell Road, first opened its doors in 1956 and has operated at the same location ever since. It has maintained Arizona’s horse racing tradition for more than six decades.
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