Arizona horse racing | Horse Racing Free Tips

New Site Plan for Turf Paradise, but Future Racing Still Hinges on Gaming Legalization

A conceptual site plan newly submitted to the city of Phoenix for the proposed industrial development at Turf Paradise calls for the closure of the track once the under-agreement sale goes forward and development begins. But the incoming owner is still floating the idea of resuming racing at the 67-year-old Thoroughbred venue in the future if historical horse race gaming gets legalized in Arizona.

Audrey Jensen of the Phoenix Business Journal first reported Aug. 8 on the new details about the project, which has been named Winner's Circle Business Park. It proposes eight industrial buildings and two data centers on the 213-acre property that is being acquired by developer CT Realty. The sale, which was announced back in April, is on target to close by the end of this year.

James Watson, the managing partner of CT Realty, told the Phoenix Business Journal, “If we can get [gaming legislation] accomplished I think we can put the racetrack back on a really firm footing and build really beautiful product around it. We're at the moment trying to get some support from the governor…to create a big income stream to the state through these taxes.”

The new details about the Turf Paradise sale and development came one day after Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) president Lloyd Yother wrote in an open letter that he would “fight like hell” to ensure racing in the state is not dead.

“There are still many avenues to consider that will save Arizona horse racing. There are even options that include the possibility of running a late race meet in 2023 or possibly early in 2024,” Yother wrote. “If these don't pan out, our board will continue to exhaust every means available to bring horse racing back to Arizona in the very near future.”

Back on Aug. 1, the current ownership that is selling at Turf Paradise announced it wouldn't be opening the track in November as planned for its 2023-24 race meet. In response, horsemen held out hope that the incoming ownership would be willing to operate the remainder of the scheduled season from January through May 4. That aspect of the plan has not been confirmed by CT Realty.

When Turf Paradise concluded its 2022-23 meet in May, Arizona was left without an operational commercial race meet.

Arizona Downs, 82 miles north of Turf Paradise in Prescott Valley, didn't apply for a June-through-September race meet this year because of financial difficulties. That track has been mentioned as being up for sale or lease for over a year. It formerly operated as Yavapai Downs between 2000 and 2010, when ownership at that time filed for bankruptcy.

Elsewhere in the state, Rillito Park in Tucson traditionally runs weekends from early February through early April. Earlier this year, Cochise County Fair in Douglas ran a two-day mixed meet Apr. 15 and 16, as did Santa Cruz County Fair at Sonoita May 6 and 7.

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‘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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Racing Cancelled At Turf Paradise Monday And Tuesday Due To COVID-19 Positive

Racing and training at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Ariz., were cancelled on Monday after an employee in the jockeys' room tested positive for COVID-19. The unidentified employee has been hospitalized, according to Vincent Francia, the track's general manager.

Francia informed horsemen via social media late Sunday that all jockeys and valets had been notified and would be required to undergo rapid testing and three-day result testing for COVID-19. The jockeys' quarters were disinfected Sunday and would be fogged with an extra strength disinfectant.

The track's starting gate crew will also be required to undergo COVID-19 testing, and horsemen and Turf Paradise staff are also advised to get tested.

Francia said Monday morning that he anticipated training would take place Tuesday but racing would again be cancelled. He believed racing would resume on Wednesday.

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Turf Paradise Operating Group Suing Insurance Company For COVID-Related Losses

TP Racing LLP, which operates Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Ariz., filed a civil lawsuit against American Home Assurance Company last week for what the racing group says is a failure to pay for COVID-related losses covered under the group's insurance policy. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, seeks a jury trial for the racing group's claim on its American Home policy, which the company denied in July 2020.

According to TP Racing, the organization maintained a policy with American Home which promised to pay for business income losses, losses caused by loss of property or restriction of access to properties, and interruption of business due to orders of a civil authority. TP Racing's complaint states that the insurance policy does not specifically contain an exemption for viruses or bacteria.

The insurance company has not yet filed a response to the allegations.

Turf Paradise and its affiliated 55 OTBs in Arizona were shut down for various periods throughout 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten of those OTBs closed permanently because they were housed in bars that shuttered. The suit also states that there have been confirmed COVID-19 cases at the track, though it did not specify how many or whether those cases came from track or stable personnel. Once the track could resume racing and OTB operations, it says, it could only do so with drastically reduced capacity, hampering normal business. TP Racing considers that restriction of access to its properties is one of several aspects of the COVID-19 closures that are covered by its policy.

According to the suit, TP Racing filed an insurance claim with American Home in April 2020, referring to policy limits of $2.5 million for accounts receivable coverage, $500,000 in preservation of property coverage, $10 million in extra expense coverage and $1 million in coverage for 30 days' of civil authority action.

In July, the suit states American Home responded, disputing the track's characterization of “direct physical loss or damage to covered property or leased property” and stating that a clause listing exclusions for “pollutants or contaminants” would apply to viruses.

TP Racing filed eight civil counts against the company and is seeking declaratory judgments, damages, attorneys' fees, and interest.

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