Turf Paradise racetrack in Phoenix, Ariz., issued a press release saying the Arizona Racing Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved its request for a race meet in 2024. The track announced that it will host a 57-day live meet, running from Jan. 29 through May 4.
“I decided to postpone my retirement because of the many stake holders here in Arizona that want racing to continue,” said track owner Jerry Simms.
The press release ended months of uncertainty for horsepeople and fans over whether or not live racing would continue at Turf Paradise. It did not reference the proposed purchase of Turf Paradise by Richard Moore and Frank Nickens, who emerged as potential buyers in September after a previous deal to sell the racetrack property to a developer fell through.
A signed contract between Turf Paradise and the Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (AzHBPA), listed a four-day-a-week live schedule, Monday through Thursday. Horses will be allowed into the stable area Dec. 18 with training beginning Dec. 26.
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Jockey Pat Valenzuela is considering a comeback, the 61-year-old told Thoroughbred Daily News this week. He hasn't ridden since Dec. 8, 2016, and recently underwent a knee replacement, but Valenzuela has been galloping and breezing horses at Del Mar and at Santa Anita.
The veteran rider said the knee replacement has solved the problems he has been having since tearing his ACL at the end of 2016, and that he can now ride pain-free.
Valenzuela, who has had a history of substance abuse problems and numerous suspensions during his career, is unsure where he will be able to make his comeback. If the California Horse Racing Board is unwilling to license him as a jockey, Valenzuela said he would considering riding in New Mexico or Louisiana.
“I'm getting a good response,” Valenzuela told TDN. “I'm just grateful to be able to get on any horses. Most everybody has been encouraging. I'm not hearing anything negative from anybody. I'm just trying to keep it simple and moving forward. As far as the physical fitness part of it, I think it'll will take me another month to 45 days to get ready. The weight is the most important thing. When you get older it's harder to lose weight. I weigh 128 now. I am working hard and eating light meals. Usually one meal a day. Just trying to stay away from fats and saturated fats.”
Valenzuela began riding in 1978 and has produced 4,346 victories from 28,398 starts, with earnings topping $165 million.
He won the 1980 Santa Anita Derby aboard Codex when he was 17-year-olds. He teamed up with the legendary hall of fame trainer Charlie Whittingham to win the 1989 runnings of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness aboard Sunday Silence. They were then second in the Belmont Stakes.
He has also won seven Breeders' Cup races from 1991 through 2012.
Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.
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The Secretariat calendar series, now in its seventh year, will honor Secretariat's daughter Secrettame for the 2024 edition. The series started in 2018 with the Living Legends theme honoring the last living Secretariat sons and daughters, then transitioned to descendants of Secretariat's important broodmares in 2022. Proceeds from the 2024 calendar will benefit The Secretariat Center and Old Friends. The series has already raised more than $33,000 for equine charities through six editions. This will be the first one with The Secretariat Center as the primary beneficiary.
“I've always wanted to work with The Secretariat Center, the only aftercare organization carrying the Triple Crown winner's name,” said writer and photographer Patricia McQueen. “With this calendar series likely winding down soon, it was important to make the change now. I'm thrilled that the previous calendars raised considerable funds for Bright Futures Farm, Old Friends, LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, and Victory Alliance Ranch, all very worthy organizations.”
McQueen published a book, Secretariat's Legacy, earlier this year.
“The Secretariat Center believes all horses deserve care, kindness and a purpose beyond the racetrack, and the Secretariat's Legacy calendar is such a fun way to remember all that Secretariat has done, and continues to do, for the racing industry,” added Shelley Mann, Executive Director of The Secretariat Center. “We look forward to celebrating his legacy with his fans, both old and new. Thank you to Patricia for generously supporting horses, as they transition into loving homes, through proceeds from her beautiful calendars.”
Secrettame, born in 1978, was a stakes winner at five after placing in the G2 Gazelle H. at three. Her first foal was the Mr. Prospector son Gone West, a Grade I winner and influential sire whose sire sons included Elusive Quality and Speightstown. Both of those also have a number of important sire sons standing currently, while Secrettame also produced MGSW and MGISP Lion Cavern, a full-brother to Gone West.
As with previous calendars, the Tony Leonard Collection continues to support the series with a photo of Secretariat and Ron Turcotte taken after the Kentucky Derby. Turcotte also has autographed a limited number of calendars.
The new calendars are available for $22 each, plus shipping, at SecretariatCalendar.com.
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