Turf Paradise racetrack in Phoenix, Ariz., issued a brief statement on Tuesday saying it would not begin its anticipated 2023-'24 meet in November as the sale of the property moves toward a December closing date.
“For the past several years, with the exception of Covid in 2020, the track opened its live meet in conjunction with the simulcast of the two-day Breeders' Cup Championship on the first weekend of November,” the statement said. “The meet then extended 130 live race days thru the simulcast of the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.
Turf Paradise first opened its doors on Jan. 7, 1956.
In April, reports surfaced that James Watson's CT Realty and Revolutionary Racing – the latter of which reopened dormant Colonial Downs in 2019 and sold it to Churchill Downs three years later – were under contract to buy Turf Paradise. Watson is a developer, but Lucas said there is a “huge upside” to racing in Arizona through legislative relief that would permit Historical Horse Racing machines that helped revive Colonial Downs and are instrumental to the current success of Kentucky horse racing.
Vincent Francia, general manager of Turf Paradise, said the possibility exists that the track could reopen under new ownership in January, but that Watson and current owner Jerry Simms would need to come to an agreement prior to the property transfer closing so that preparations could be made for racing and training.
The Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's executive director, Leroy Gessman, distributed the following to members via email:
SUBJECT: Status of Arizona Horse Racing
After several months of speculation and rumors, I finally have some definite updates that I can report to the membership. Yesterday July 31, 2023, President Lloyd J. Yother received a call from Mr. Jerry Simms, telling us that his final decision was to not run a race meet in November and December of 2023. After 23 years of running race meets, he felt it was time that he stepped aside and turn things over to the possible potential buyer, Mr. James Watson. He wanted to announce this now, so Horsemen had time to find alternative plans. Mr. Simms has started laying off key employees, is issuing a national press release this week and stopped watering the turf track. So, I do not see things changing.
What is next for Arizona racing? After conversations with Mr. Watson his status is that his final financial approval will be issued on September 15th. If this is approved and all the zoning goes through, then they plan to close the sale on December 17th. If all that falls into place Mr. Watson is considering running a race meet starting in January till May 4th. A lot of ifs in that last statement, but there is a chance for a race meet in January 2024.
There also appears to be a lot of interest in Arizona Downs currently. Tom Arther is telling me he has had some racing companies contact him on the possibility of investing in Arizona Downs to allow the running of some type of race meet. This would require a lot of things to come together quickly and cooperation from the Department of Racing. But there are ongoing discussions.
There have been some major racetrack operators expressing interest in building a new track in Maricopa County. These alternatives may be longshots but there is interest in rebuilding Arizona racing.
I know Mr. Simms's decision to close the track is very disappointing and scary news to all of us. However, I want you to know that I, President Yother and the HBPA Board will continue to work on restoring racing in Arizona!
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