Turf Paradise management and the Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) have signed an agreement to hold an 84-day live race meet at the Phoenix, Ariz., track, running from Jan. 4 through May 1, 2021.
An 11th-hour snafu over wording in the agreement between the two parties caused the 24-hour deadline for submission of agenda items to the Arizona Racing Commission to be missed. The Commission is scheduled to meet in special session on Friday, Oct. 30, to approve the race dates, as well to consider contracts for the upcoming Breeders' Cup simulcasts. The Commission will still meet to approve the contracts. The request for approval of the 84-day meet will now be scheduled for the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Commission on 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.”
The 84-day meet will be conducted on a 5-day a week schedule, Monday thru Friday with post time set for 12:30 p.m. The lone exception to the schedule is Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 1.
Horsemen will arrive Nov. 19 to prepare their stalls; horses will arrive Nov. 25. The first condition book and stakes schedule are published at www.turfparadise.com.
“There's a lot to do in a short time,” said Francia. “But we'll be ready.”
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