Arizona Downs | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘I Truly Believe It Is Worth Saving’: Michael Weiss Named General Manager Of Arizona Downs

A longtime racing industry leader, with deep ties to Arizona horse racing, has been named the new General Manager at Arizona Downs.
Michael Weiss will lead preparations to restore the track and operate the 2021 return of live racing to the Prescott Valley facility. He most recently served as General Manager of Rillito Park Racetrack in Tucson and is well-known for pioneering the PRISE educational program for the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program. He is also a former student in the RTIP and currently serves as a career advisor to program graduates.

“I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to efforts to save Arizona horse racing because I truly believe it is worth saving,” Weiss said. “I look forward to rebuilding the team at Arizona Downs and assembling a safe environment for horsemen and a memorable experience for fans.”

Over the years, Weiss has worked at a wide array of racing venues, including Beulah Park Racetrack, Birmingham Race Course, Thistledown Racetrack, Hialeah Park, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park and North Dakota Horse Park, where he re-instituted live racing after a long absence. He has held virtually every position at the racetrack, from starter to racing secretary and executive vice president in thoroughbred and quarter horse environments. Off the track, he pioneered, operated, and grew on-line wagering platforms, including AmericaTab and Darkhorsebet.com, both later acquired by TwinSpires and Xpressbet.

“Mike is the perfect fit to lead the revival of racing at Arizona Downs,” said Leroy Gessman, President of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. “He has a genuine passion for a successful future of all of Arizona Racing and we are very fortunate to have him.”

His hiring comes at a pivotal time for horse racing in the state, as the Arizona Senate is now considering a bill to modernize wagering at horse tracks and OTBs. Senate Bill 1794 would bring more than $300 million in capital investment to Arizona horse racing, including a new track at Arizona Downs, while generating more than $100 million in new state tax revenues.

Live racing returns to Arizona Downs on June 1, with a 1:30pm post time and racing will take place every Tuesday and Wednesday through September 15.

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Letter To The Editor: A Tale Of Two Governors, With DeSantis Prioritizing Florida Horse Racing And Arizona’s Ducey Thumbing His Nose At It

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made clear there won't be a tribal gaming deal in his state unless the needs of the state's horse racing industry have been properly addressed.

Efforts to expand gaming in Nebraska saw legislators urge pro-gaming advocates to first talk to the state's horsemen about responsible ways to expand.

And then there's Arizona.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey not only isn't giving the time of day to our state's horsemen, he's rebuffing requests to just pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. And he's doing it while pushing for a gaming expansion bill that would deliver just a fraction of what other states receive in gaming revenues – all while allowing the horse racing industry to remain dying on life support.

Gov. Ducey wants to allow sports teams to modernize their revenue stream by legalizing sports betting across the state and add sports books at taxpayer-funded sports stadiums.

And he wants Arizona tribes to be able to modernize the gaming options offered at their casinos – which they want more of, of course.

Meanwhile, Arizona is the only state in the country that still requires advance deposit wagering bets to be placed on a landline phone. But Gov. Ducey doesn't want us to be able to modernize.

The state's horsemen simply want to modernize wagering, adding historical horse racing machines at tracks and OTBs, to provide the revenue needed to survive. There are no requests for a government hand-out or to have facilities subsidized by taxpayers. We want to help ourselves with a sustainable business model at existing locations, under existing pari-mutuel laws – which have existed in Arizona for decades.

Those pari-mutuel laws just need modernizing.

Arizona state Sen. David Gowan has sponsored a bill to do just that and seems to have the support of his legislative colleagues.

But not Gov. Ducey.

We've seen what modernizing wagering and adding HHR can do for a state – Virginia is thriving, bringing that state more than $100 million in new revenues, while it has doubled the purses in Kentucky.

Meanwhile, in Arizona, legislators worry that Gov. Ducey is asking sports books for just a fraction of the $10 million a license costs in other states. They also worry that the 5% fees charged to tribal gaming aren't close to the 20% paid by tribes to other states.

Sen. Gowan's Senate Bill 1794 would bring the state more than $100 million in new tax revenues, lead to more than $300 million in capital investments, including a new track at Arizona Downs, and see daily purses increase from $80,000 to $300,000.

And it couldn't come at a more dire time. In Arizona, handle is down $55 million a year, purses are down $5 million a year, live race attendance is down 45%, Turf Paradise is for sale and Arizona Downs has struggled to keep the lights on.

And yet as Gov. Ducey takes steps to modernize gaming in Arizona, he won't even allow the state's horse racing industry to have a seat at the table, as he ushers in plans to allow the state's billionaire sports team owners to not just modernize their operations, but to thrive.

It all called to mind something DeSantis said last week.

“If it's something that benefits the state, we obviously have an obligation to work to do that,” he said when asked about tribal compact negotiations there and the importance of ensuring the state's horse racing industry is able to survive.

Why is that?

“Ultimately, I don't represent the Seminoles,” he said. “I represent Florida businesses and employees. We want to make sure those folks do well under whatever arrangement may be reached between the State of Florida and the Nation of the Seminole Indian Tribe.”

Arizona residents and small business owners should only be so lucky.

– Bob Hutton, President of the Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, and Leroy Gessman, Executive Director of the AHBPA

If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, please write to info at paulickreport.com and include contact information where you may be reached if editorial staff have any questions.

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Arizona Mayor: ‘It Is Time For The Legislature To Act And Support The Horse Racing Industry’

Kell Palguta, Mayor of Prescott Valley, Ariz., released the following statement Friday on behalf of Save Arizona Horse Racing:

As mayor of Prescott Valley, I am proud of our thriving community. We have a diverse community with residents from across the nation choosing to relocate in our area. From outdoor recreation, to exploring local shops, to enjoying a day at Arizona Downs, we have something for everyone.

Tourism is the lifeblood of our community. With great year-round weather and entertainment, we as a community value all of our assets that help businesses and families thrive. One of those important attractions is Arizona Downs, one of the state's go-to racetracks for summer events.

Horse racing has been an important industry to Arizona since statehood, representing our state's ranching and old west roots. For rural Arizona, ranching, breeding and farming is embedded in our community and a local economic driver.

Arizona Downs is part of our state's history, and as we continue to grow and thrive, we must also modernize the industries that are at our core. For the past decade, Arizona's horse racing industry has suffered due to increased competition from other states. As efforts to bolster the local horse racing industry has increased across the nation, Arizona has lagged behind.

Since 2004, Arizona horse tracks have seen live race attendance drop 45% and parimutuel handles drop $55 million a year. This decline in revenue impacts every small business owner and employee that is involved in race days. Arizona has a lot to offer, and can easily become a national destination for horse racing.

The Arizona Legislature is currently considering Senate Bill 1794 which will support Arizona horse racing and generate more than $100 million in new state tax revenues. By implementing Historic Horse Racing in the state, purses will increase from $80,000 to $300,000, attracting horses and revenues from California. It will also attract $300 million in capital investments and help create nearly 4,000 new jobs.

It's time for the legislature to act and support the horse racing industry. For far too long the needs of rural Arizona have been ignored. Now, we have a real opportunity to help rural small business owners and create additional revenue for the state. This is a win-win for all of Arizona; let's make Historic Horse Racing a reality.

Save Arizona Horse Racing is focused on implementing innovative solutions to create additional revenue and save this historic industry in Arizona. Learn more: www.savearizonahorseracing.com

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Arizona Downs Announces Partnership With Colonial Downs Operator

Arizona Downs announced a new partnership with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) for the 2021 summer racing meet. P2E has an extensive track record of supporting horse racing in Virginia and Louisiana, and will consult with Arizona Downs regarding the management of the live racing and simulcast operations during the racing season.

“Arizona horse racing has faced numerous challenges in recent years and the COVID-19 pandemic placed additional strain on the industry,” said Tom Auther, managing member of JACOR, the owner of Arizona Downs. “We are pleased to partner with P2E who has the knowledge and expertise to help revitalize Arizona horse racing.”

P2E is the owner and operator of the Colonial Downs Group, consisting of the Colonial Downs Racetrack and five Rosie's Gaming Emporiums throughout Virginia powered by historic horse racing technology.

Arizona Downs and the Arizona Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) have reached agreement on a live racing contract and the terms of the 2021 race meet. The 2021 racing program offers the most attractive race meet in Arizona Downs history. The meet consists of 32 race days at a daily average of $70,000 per day beginning June 1 through Sept. 15. Live racing occurs Tuesdays and Wednesdays with the first race post scheduled for 2:30PM (MST)/ 4:30PM (EST).

“P2E developed a proven formula in Virginia that resurrected the horse racing in the state after a six-year hiatus,” said Bob Hutton, President of the AZHBPA. “Our association did our due-diligence and received high praise from our colleagues in Virginia about P2E. We are looking forward to the summer meet.”

P2E is a trailblazer in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry with multiple gaming and entertainment destinations across the county and more developments planned in the near future. The company focuses on introducing a modern approach to horse racing and implementing these successful concepts across the country.

“The cornerstone of our success is based on service, quality, community and the people who make it work,” said Aaron Gomes, COO of P2E. “We apply this to all we do, and we are pleased to share with Arizona Downs and Arizona horsemen guidance that has made our Virginia operations successful.”

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