Blog Posts

Commission Approval Expected of Preakness Stakes Simulcast to Arizona

5/13/2021

At Thursday’s regularly scheduled meeting the Arizona Racing Commission decided to meet in special session Friday, May 14 at 12:15 pm for the express purpose of approving Saturday’s Preakness Stakes simulcast along with its accompanying races for wagering in Arizona. The approval would also include several of Pimlico’s Friday races, including the Black Eyed Susan stakes. Both days of Pimlico’s races will be simulcast at Turf Paradise and at all it’s OTBs.

“I applaud the Commission for doing this for the state’s horse racing industry and for the thousands of Arizona horseplayers,”said track general manager Vincent Francia.

Possibility of Preakness Stakes Simulcast at Turf Paradise and at All OTBs

5/13/2021

Turf Paradise has been advised that the Arizona Racing Commission will meet in special session Friday, May 14 for the express purpose of approving the simulcast of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, plus the accompanying races of the Preakness day card. It is also understood that the approval would extend to the approval of Pimlico’s Friday’s races which includes the Black Eyed Susan Stakes.

“If approved by the Commission, Pimlico’s Friday card and Saturday’s Preakness Stakes and accompanying races will be simulcast on-track at Turf Paradise and at all of our OTBs,” said track general manager Vincent Francia.

This site will provide continuing updates.

Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders’ Day Stakes Recap

4/24/2021

$40,000 Joanne Dye Breeders’ Oaks
3 YO Fillies, 6 furlongs
Prohibitive 1-9 favorite Alberta Sun with Glenn Corbett sitting confidently for owner Randy Howg and trainer Robertino Diodoro registered a daylight win over three rival fillies; Who B Dat finished second, Reign of Fire third.
Now having won half of her eight lifetime starts, Alberta Sun covered the 6 furlongs in 1:10.17.

$30,000 Lyman and Bradley Rollins Stakes
3YO & Up
6 Furlongs
The chalk continued as 3-5 Annies Boy with Daniel Vergara up for owner Michael Feigenbaum and trainer Rafael Barraza out raced Ramblin’ Man and Two the Punch in the field of five, covering the 6 panels in 1:09.28 for his fourth win in 11 outings.

$30,000 Dwight D. Patterson Stakes
3 YO & Up
1 1/16 miles (turf)
Triple AAA Ranch’s, R. Kory Owens trained Beat the Heat at 1-5 pulled away from three rivals (Monumental Seven, second, Arizona Jeremy, third) to cover the distance over firm lawn in 1:43.25. The win pushed Beat the Heat over the hundred thousand mark in career earnings.

$50,000 Gene Fleming Breeders Derby
3 YO
1 1/16 miles
Yet more chalk as the Kevin Eikleberry-trained, Reunion Racing Stables’-owned 8-5 favorite Smooth Papa with Francisco Garcia edged away from four rivals to cover the 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.94 for his third win in three efforts. Pace-maker Tactical Attack held second and Stephen James third, who is also trained by Eikleberry.

$30,000 Ann Owens Distaff Stakes
3 YO & Up, F & M
6 Furlongs
Owner Howg and trainer Diodoro teamed up for the second win on Breed day with 1-2 prohibitive favorite Arizona Sun with leading rider Luis Negron up, winning as she pleased over runner-up My Crafty Gal and Shoe Game third in the field of six rivals. Arizona Sun zipped the 6-panels in 1:09.19 for the filly’s sixth tally in 14 attempts.

Kentucky Derby Simulcast Saturday, May 1 at Turf Paradise and OTBs

4/12/2021

America’s most famous horse race, the $2 million Kentucky Derby will be simulcast at Turf Paradise and at its 46 Off Track Betting sites on Saturday, May 1. This will also be the final day of the live race meet.

Unlike previous years, Turf Paradise will not host its annual Derby Buffet due to the Coronavirus. In fact, the Clubhouse and Turf Club will be closed.

However, The Bulleit Bourbon Derby Day Club presented by Sanderson Lincoln will return to the track’s family picnic grove and also in a trackside covered pavilion. Tickets and reserved tables, which are on sale now, have a wide range of privileges to enjoy the extraordinary day. Derby Day Club guests enjoy amazing views plus convenient access to Turf Paradise betting machines, no-host bar inside the tent for Mint Juleps, champagne and cocktails, close proximity to food trucks for additional refreshments and 65" TVs to watch the Kentucky Derby and live horse racing at Turf Paradise.

The only area open to the public will be the first floor of the Grandstand and the outside track apron. There will be no food or beverage served. There will be no admission or parking charges. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

“Our approach this year is to keep everyone safe while enjoying the Kentucky Derby,” said track general manager Vincent Francia. “We feel that between being on-site at the track or at any one of our 46 OTB sites we can do this. Masks will be required and social distancing will be observed.”

Doors will open at Turf Paradise at 7:00 am to accommodate the early simulcasts from Churchill Downs. The first live race post is 11:30 am. The Kentucky Derby is set for 3:50 pm.

Ohio, Chief Cicatriz Three-Peat in Fitzsimmons Mile, Gold Cup

3/12/2021

While Ohio became the first three-time consecutive winner of the $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile, Chief Cicatriz became the first three-time winner of the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Friday at Turf Paradise Race Course.

The 6-5 favorite Ohio (BRZ), shipping in from Santa Anita for trainer Michael McCarthy, was deftly handled by local jockey Luis Fuentes, and overcame the pace-setting Overdue with Popular Kid third in the field of eight older horses.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Ohio ($4.80), who was notching his unprecedented third consecutive victory in this race, covered the one mile over firm turf in 1:37.27.

Meanwhile, Chief Cicatriz ($3.80) made his own history by becoming the first three-time winner in the 65 year history of the Gold Cup. Owned by Roy Evans, trained by Shawn Davis and ridden to victory by Alfredo Juarez, Jr., the 8-year-old gelding covered the 6-furlongs in 1:08.83 for his 16th lifetime win.

Finishing second behind Chief Cicatriz was the hard-charging Raagheb and third former Gold Cup winner Minister of Soul in the compact field of five.

In the two supporting stakes: The California shipper and Robert Hess, Jr.-trained favorite Its My House ($6.20) with Glenn Corbett aboard, out-gammed Tony’s Tapit with Saturday’s Value third to win the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby in the field of 11 3-year-olds.

The winner, owned by Larry Katz, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.05.

Longshot Don’tpassthepepper ($17.40) with Leslie Mawing up was a nose the best over Gemstone Gal with Focus First third to win the $50,000 Arizona Oaks.

Owned by Roys Mansur and trained by Ed Kereluk, Don’tpassthepepper covered the one mile in 1:38.75.

Jockey Corbett Records 4,000 Career Wins with Turf Paradise Victory

3/10/2021

Veteran jockey Glenn Corbett registered his 4,000th career win when guiding Arabian Story to a come from behind victory in the 4th race Monday, March 8th at Turf Paradise Race Course.

Corbett, 55, who won his first race at Penn National Race Course in 1985, has been ranked among the Top 10 riders locally for the past 15 racing season. Corbett, who hails from Washington, Georgia, won Turf Paradise’s Leading Rider’s title in 2007 with 126 victories.

Corbett is the 78th North American-based rider to reach the 4,000 wins plateau. Through March 8, his mounts have earned over $55 million in purses from a record of 4,000-3649-3,249 from 25,497 career starts.

Corbett, who also recorded his 3,000th career win at Turf Paradise on December 22, 2009, competed in the 2002 Kentucky Derby (G1), riding Lusty Latin to a 15th place finish.

Fitzsimmons Mile, Gold Cup Top Friday’s 4-Stakes Card at Turf Paradise

3/8/2021

The $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile and the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup top a four stakes agenda on an 8-race card Friday, March 12 at Turf Paradise.

The Fitzsimmons Mile, named after the late coach of the Phoenix Suns, drew a field of eight for the 8-furlong turf test. The Gold Cup, the track’s premier sprint race at 6 furlongs, lured a select field of six sprinters, including two previous winners for the 6-furlong sprint. The two supporting stakes are the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby at 1 1/16 miles, which attracted a field of 11 and the $50,000 Arizona Oaks at one mile with a field of eight.

Among the Fitzsimmons field of eight is Ohio (BRZ) a two-time consecutive winner (2019-20) of this race who is seeking an unprecedented three peat. Following his 2019 Fitzsimmons win, the Brazilian bred Ohio won the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita, before returning to become the first two-time winner in 2020 of the Fitzsimmons Mile.

The Phoenix Gold Cup, which is celebrating its 65th renewal, has attracted two previous Gold Cup winners in two-time winner Chief Cicatriz (2017-18) and Minister of Soul (2019).

The Arizona Oaks appears to be a showdown between four California shippers and four locally based fillies.

Four-time winner Tony’s Tapit gets the edge on most wins while Golden Gate shipper It’s My House, trained by Bob Hess, gets the nod in best speed figure in the Turf Paradise Derby.

Scott Stevens Retires

3/5/2021

Ramiro Flores is the special interview in this edition of Weekend Digest

1/19/2021

There is perhaps no role at a racetrack more vital yet easily overlooked as the role at Track Superintendent. Ramiro’s passion for Turf Paradise and Arizona racing runs very deep – a crucial part of the Turf Paradise team, Ramiro was kind enough to answer some questions about his job and himself! Special thanks to Ramiro for the interview!

Tell us how you became the Track Superintendent at Turf Paradise?
I started at Turf Paradise in 2006 as a tractor driver. I became the Assistant Superintendent in 2007 and remained in that position until 2014 when I took the Superintendent position at Evangeline Downs. When the opportunity came up for a superintendent at Turf Paradise in 2015, I returned because I consider AZ home and I have been here ever since.

For those who don't know what are your specific responsibilities and what does a normal day during live racing look like for you?
My responsibilities include care and maintenance of all surfaces. This includes the Main Track, Training Track and the Turf Course. I also have the responsibility of supervising some of the ordering of supplies & for trackside maintenance. A normal day starts by dropping off my kids at school and arriving at the track before the break to ensure that everything goes as planned. After the break we set harrows, fuel up the equipment, and perform a maintenance check to ensure that all equipment is safe & ready for racing. I pick up programs and spend some time doing paperwork and PO’s. After the track closes for training at 10 am, I have 2 hours to prep the surface for the day’s racing. 12:30 is post time and they are off. After the day’s racing is completed, we put the track to sleep for the evening to wait for my crew to come in at 2 am in the morning to start it over again.

What do you think are the most important aspects in managing both the dirt and turf tracks?
Staying ahead of the weather.

What has been the reaction of horsemen to the track surfaces for the 2021 meet?
It’s been a busy year due to the pandemic and I have not been able to spend much time out there touching base with many horsemen. So far, my phone has been quiet. I believe “no news is good news!”

Obviously, you head up a small team at Turf Paradise, what qualities do you think make a good track superintendent and how can young people learn if this is a good career for them to be involved in?
Being a motivator and leading by example to inspire people to do the best job that they can do. There is no such thing as a dumb question, only the one you do not ask. A superintendent cannot be working every position all the time. You must have faith in your crew. Most kids are intrigued by the heavy machines. My advice would be to start out by learning to drive a tractor and ask lots of questions. Learn to operate as many pieces of equipment as possible.

What is one aspect of your work that would surprise most people?
That I am on call 24/7. The weather does not keep regular hours!

Favorite food and drink?
I really love a good burger and enjoy an ice-cold beer.

Most inspirational people in your life?
My mom and my stepdad because they taught me the value of a strong work ethic.

Best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Always have a plan “B”!

What are your tastes in music?
I like all kinds of music and it is a very important part of my life. But one of my favorite tunes to hear is the “Call to The Post.”

Who is your favorite all time racehorse?
Lost in The Fog

Turf Paradise Weekend Digest

1/13/2021

Each week we will be featuring a horseman or horsewoman at Turf Paradise or someone who works at the track.

Marilee Herrera is a new racehorse owner at the 2021 Turf Paradise race meet. Her story is one of incredible perseverance, patriotism, a desire to be the best as well as the transformative power of the sport and the love of horses. But as she will tell you in her own words, it is just part of a far greater journey! Marilee also shares details about a horse you need to look out for running at Turf Paradise!

“My Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather were all jockeys, so racing is definitely in my blood. They rode the bush tracks in NM and CO but were mainly goat farmers in the Santa Fe area. They saw talent in my Dad when he was young and sent him to CA where he got to work under contract with the "Bald Eagle" himself, Charlie Whittingham.”

“My Dad got his first big break in the late 50s and was one of the leading riders up and down CA and Caliente. In the early 60s, he started to ride a few races at Turf Paradise and became very good friends with Mr. Clurer and Mr. Herbuveaux. In the 70's, my dad got the opportunity to ride first call for Jack Van Berg, so we moved out to the Midwest for most of that decade.”

“In 1979, my father "retired" and we settled in Phoenix. My parents loved the weather and the fact he could ride most of the year at one track while my sister and I were in school. My Dad rode at Turf Paradise up until his death at age 54 in 1985. His, along with many other great AZ riders, ashes are on the track!”
“I was 15 years old when he passed but loved racing so much, I went to U of A and earned my degree in Racetrack Management. I went on to work in KY and Australia and then ended up in Portland where I worked at both Portland Meadows and Multnomah Greyhound Park, and in 1995, I got the opportunity to move to Connecticut to help open Shoreline Star Greyhound Park.”

“Anyhow, from about 1997 - 2010 I strayed from racing, got married, had kids and only enjoyed racing from afar. Then, with my first divorce, found myself joining the military, yes, the Army, at age 40! While I don't regret having the honor of serving my country, I found myself getting further and further away from my first love, HORSERACING.”

“In 2015, I had a horrible injury that ended my military career and took about three years to recover. I was in my second marriage living in the Bay area and not happy with life. Then came 2020 and with COVID, my life felt like it hit rock bottom. One day, my now soon-to-be-ex, picked up and moved out and I, along with my cat and two dogs were abandoned. My life no longer felt worth living....my children are young successful adults, and don’t need me (so I thought) and my pets could live with my roommate, I was really on the verge of doing something that I could never reverse, it scares me right now to think about what I was planning to do...then, out of nowhere, I reunited with an old friend and we started to talk about getting me back to racing.”

“Almost overnight, I had the opportunity to buy a beautiful 2-year-old filly from another friend that I went to U of A with who was looking to sell off some of her horses who were running at Del Mar. Next thing I know, I'm talking to a trainer (my Dad rode his and his Dad's horses 40 years ago) who said he would help me out with her, and the rest is history.”
“MY LIFE WAS LITERALLY SAVED BY RACING!!!! In an instant, my life changed. Despite being one of the darkest times of my life, I find myself with a fresh, optimistic attitude and thrilled beyond belief to be back “home” at Turf Paradise and in the industry, I LOVE!!!!”

“Keep an eye out for my filly, Spicy Sommelier! She had her first official work at Turf Paradise recently and ran quite well 47.20 4f….she does have three races under her belt which includes a third at Los Al for a $50k tag, but I think she’s going to like this track. She’s a pretty filly by Stay Thirsty out of Hadarra (Harlan’s Holiday).”

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