Representatives of the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) and the management of Turf Paradise in north Phoenix have signed an agreement that will allow for 84 days of live racing at the track beginning Jan. 1, 2020 and running through May 4, 2021.
The Arizona Racing Commission was to meet in special session Oct. 30 to approve the dates after a disagreement in the wording of the agreement between the two parties led to a 24-hour delay in submitting the plan to the ARC. The Commission will also consider contracts for simulcasting of next weekend’s Breeders’ Cup programs at Keeneland. The request for the approval of the 84-day meeting will now be scheduled for the next regularly scheduled meeting of the ARC Nov. 12.
“Many thanks to Arizona Racing Director Rudy Casillas for hosting the forum for dialogue between the two parties,” said Turf Paradise’s General Manager Vincent Francia. “An equal amount of thanks to AZHBPA President Bob Hutton and track owner Jerry Simms for committing to dialogue until everything was resolved. Now, it’s time to race. “There’s a lot to do in a short time, but we’ll be ready.”
Racing will take place five days a week from Monday to Friday with post time at 12:30 p.m. local time. The lone exception is Kentucky Derby day May 1. Horsepeople will begin arriving Nov. 19 to prepare their barns, with horses to follow Nov. 25. The first conditions book and stakes schedule can be found at www.turfparadise.com.
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