{{Short description|Horse racetrack in Phoenix, Arizona}} {{Multiple issues| {{Fanpov|date=June 2025}} {{Update|date=June 2025}} }} {{Infobox racecourse |name = Turf Paradise Race Course |image =225px |caption = |website = http://www.turfparadise.com |location = Phoenix, Arizona |coordinates = {{coord|33.6348|-112.0925|type:landmark_region:US|display=inline, title}} |owner = Jerry Simms |opened = January 7, 1956 |closed = |channel = |racetype = Thoroughbred and Quarter horse |coursetype = |notableraces = }} '''Turf Paradise''' is a thoroughbred and quarter horse racetrack located at 19th Avenue and Bell Road, in the Deer Valley section of Phoenix, Arizona. It opened in 1956.
Turf Paradise is typically open for racing from early November through April. It hosts the Turf Paradise Derby for three-year-olds in February, a prep race for the Kentucky Derby (although the race does not offer any qualifying points).<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/prep-races|title=2022/23 Kentucky Derby Prep Races|website=kentuckyderby.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404221020/https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/prep-races|archive-date=4 April 2023|access-date=13 April 2023}}</ref>
Turf Paradise is owned and operated by local entrepreneur Jerry Simms, along with several partners. The Turf Paradise property had faced redevelopment after a real estate company entered into a purchase agreement in April 2023.<ref name="drf120423">{{cite web |url=https://www.drf.com/news/turf-paradise-process-being-sold-real-estate-developer|title=Turf Paradise being sold to real estate developer; racing not immediately threatened|last=Hegarty|first=Matt|date=12 April 2023|publisher=Daily Racing Form|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507010836/https://www.drf.com/news/turf-paradise-process-being-sold-real-estate-developer|archive-date=7 May 2025}}</ref> It was reported in late September 2023 that the purchase agreement had fallen through and that a new buyer had emerged with the intention of continuing live racing at the track.<ref name="drf280923">{{cite web |url=https://www.drf.com/news/turf-paradise-remain-open-will-race-2024|title=Turf Paradise to remain open, will race in 2024|last=Hegarty|first=Matt|date=28 September 2023|publisher=Daily Racing Form|access-date=29 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417101234/https://www.drf.com/news/turf-paradise-remain-open-will-race-2024|archive-date=17 April 2025}}</ref>
==History== In 1954 businessman Walter Cluer, a successful millwork company founder and manufacturer from Phoenix, purchased {{convert|1400|acre|km2}} of barren desert at what is now Bell Road and 19th Avenue. Cluer, who was also a horse owner, dreamt of building a first-class race track in Phoenix.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Turf History |url=https://www.turfparadise.com/turf-history.html |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Turf Paradise |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Racing History |url=https://gaming.az.gov/racing/history#:~:text=In%201954,%20Phoenix%20visionary%20Walter,of%20Arizona's%20first%20sports%20franchises. |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=gaming.az.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803092041/https://gaming.az.gov/racing/history|archive-date=3 August 2023}}</ref>
Many locals thought Cluer's ambitious project was ill-timed and destined to fail, given that the property was {{convert|25|mi|km}} from downtown Phoenix, and that the only way to get there was via a few badly maintained dirt roads. However, he forged ahead and on January 7, 1956, Turf Paradise opened its doors to great success. Cluer remained as head of the track for nearly 25 years.
In 1980, Herb Owens took over and Turf Paradise entered into a phase of renovation. A seven-furlong infield turf course with a one-mile and one-eighth (1.8 km) chute was added. The Clubhouse was enlarged and a Turf Club with penthouse-style Directors’ Suite and outdoor patio was also added.
Turf Paradise's third owner, Robert Walker of Scottsdale, Arizona, had made a fortune with an aerospace company he had founded and sold. He purchased the track in 1989 and moved it into the gambling field of off-track betting. Walker's formula seemed to be the right approach at the right time, as he retired the track's outstanding debt and declared the first-ever dividend for Turf Paradise stockholders. In addition, Walker and a consortium of horse racing interests successfully lobbied the Arizona Legislature to legalize off track betting (OTB). The in-state OTB network is perhaps Walker's most significant contribution to the track and Arizona's racing industry. What started out as a single OTB site in little Cave Creek (population 4,000) in 1991, has now grown to over 45 in-state OTBs and over 900 out-of-state locales, located in six countries.
Turf Paradise took on a corporate face in 1994 when the track was purchased in a stock acquisition by California-based Hollywood Park Racetrack under the chairmanship of Randall D. Hubbard.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 31, 1994|title=Hollywood Park Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Turf Paradise|work=PR Newswire|url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=phoenixpl&id=GALE|A14956204&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=8341f180|access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> Despite intense competition from a number of Native American in-state casino gaming interests, Turf Paradise continued to flourish and achieve record mutual handle numbers.
=== Jerry Simms ownership === The new millennium provided Turf Paradise with a new owner in the person of Jerry Simms. The self-made multi-millionaire purchased Turf Paradise on June 16, 2000 for $53 million.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 30, 1999|title=Hollywood Park Agrees to Sell Turf Paradise|work=PR Newswire|url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=phoenixpl&id=GALE|A58410239&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=54fe9e6d|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926090443/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=phoenixpl&id=GALE%7CA58410239&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=54fe9e6d|archive-date=26 September 2021}}</ref> Simms immediately set out a $5 million renovation plan. Both the Clubhouse and Turf Club were completely renovated and re-styled. Two race book-style betting carrels, of 80 private terminals each, were added, one in the Clubhouse and the other adjacent to the Turf Club.<ref name=":1" />
Simms also had the main track and turf course renovated, and in the summer of 2003, Simms built a $125,000 equine swimming pool in the stable area of the race track. The {{convert|30|ft|m|sing=on}} by {{convert|60|ft|m|sing=on}} pool provides advanced horse therapy for more than 2,200 thoroughbreds stabled on the backside. Containing over 140,000 gallons of water and measuring {{convert|12|ft|m}} in depth, the pool accommodates up to six horses at a time. The pool had an immediate effect, not only on equine health but on field size.
The track was on a healthy financial footing in 2004, and Simms purchased property at the busy 19th Avenue and Bell Road intersection adjacent to the race track.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Duff|first=Kerry|date=November 22, 2006|title=Activity ongoing on Bell Road's western stretch|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2006/11/27/focus2.html|website=Phoenix Business Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417101236/https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2006/11/27/focus2.html|archive-date=17 April 2025}}</ref> He made use of the land for commercial development and at the same time enhancing the racing operation.
In 2016, the course held an "alternative racing" day, where jockeys raced ostriches, camels and zebras on the track to attract visitors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Amy B. |title=Those were real racing stripes — and feathers — at Turf Paradise |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-best-reads/2016/03/26/there-real-racing-stripes-turf-paradise-weekend/82196158/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== 2020 onwards === In mid-March 2020, the meet ended early as the COVID-19 pandemic caused the track to shut down indefinitely.
Racing returned on January 4, 2021 with an 84-day race meet judged to be one of the most successful at the track in recent times. Pending finalization of contracts with the AZHBPA, racing is due to resume for a 125-day live meet on November 5, 2021.
In April 2023 it was announced that California-based CT Realty had entered into an agreement to purchase the Turf Paradise property for redevelopment, with closing expected sometime during the summer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reagor |first=Catherine |title=Historic north Phoenix horse track Turf Paradise to be sold, developed by California group |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/real-estate/catherine-reagor/2023/04/19/historic-north-phoenix-horse-track-turf-paradise-to-be-sold-developed/70119910007/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref> At the time of the announcement, an executive at the Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association said his members were told that racing at Turf Paradise would continue between one and three more years while surrounding land is redeveloped.<ref name=drf120423/> In September 2023, Turf Paradise announced that the racetrack property, and all of its off-track-betting locations in Arizona, would cease operations in October.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/271973/turf-paradise-to-cease-operations-oct-1-otbs-to-close|title=Turf Paradise to Cease Operations Oct. 1; OTBs to Close|last=Perez|first=Joe|date=18 September 2023|publisher=The BloodHorse|access-date=29 September 2023}}</ref> Later that month, it was reported that the sale of the Turf Paradise property had fallen through and that Simms found a new buyer to purchase the racetrack with the intention of continuing live racing.<ref name=drf280923/> It was later clarified that the new buyers would be Frank Nickens, acting as the Turf Paradise Land Trust, and Richard Moore. The Arizona Racing Commission was informed that Turf Paradise is expected to resume live racing in January 2024 under the new ownership.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/272186/reopening-of-turf-paradise-tied-to-potential-sale|title=Reopening of Turf Paradise Tied to Potential Sale|last=King|first=Byron|date=28 September 2023|publisher=The BloodHorse|access-date=29 September 2023}}</ref>
It was later revealed that the new buyers of the track had not put up the money to buy the track. “The deal was there before. Quoting owner Jerry Simms “The people never put up their money, and it just didn't happen.” <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/trouble-in-turf-paradise-sale-again-called-off-24-meet-still-planned/ | title = Trouble In (Turf) Paradise: Sale Again Called Off, '24 Meet Still Planned | author = T.D Thornton | date = 12 January 2024 | publisher = TDN }}</ref> Live racing from January to May for 2024 is currently ongoing, during the latest Arizona Racing commission meeting Simms said he is still looking to sell the track and keep racing, and he has several potential suitors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=What the future holds for Turf Paradise horse racing track |url=https://www.kjzz.org/2023-09-20/content-1858017-what-future-holds-historic-turf-paradise-horse-racing-track |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=KJZZ |language=en}}</ref>
In 2025, the course celebrated their lowest racing fatality rate in their 69-year history, with one fatality on the track's main course and three on the turf course.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hackbarth |first=Chelsea |date=2025-06-17 |title='Zero Fatalities Is Our Next Goal': Turf Paradise Celebrates Safest Meet On Record |url=https://paulickreport.com/horse-care-category/zero-fatalities-is-our-next-goal-turf-paradise-celebrates-safest-meet-on-record |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Paulick Report {{!}} Latest news and commentary from the horse racing and equine world |language=en}}</ref>
==Physical attributes== The track has a one-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval and a seven furlong turf oval.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Track Information |url=https://www.turfparadise.com/track-information.html |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Turf Paradise |language=en}}</ref>
==Racing== The following notable stakes are run at Turf Paradise: * Turf Paradise Derby<ref name=":0" /> * Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap<ref>{{Cite web |last=CTBA |title=Omar Enters Phoenix Gold Cup {{!}} CTBA |url=https://ctba.com/omar-enters-phoenix-gold-cup/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> * Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Handicap<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Featured Saturday at Turf Paradise |url=http://www.turfparadise.com/3/post/2015/01/cotton-fitzsimmons-mile-featured-saturday-at-turf-paradise.html |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Turf Paradise |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|http://www.turfparadise.com}}
Category:Horse racing venues in Arizona Category:Sports in Phoenix, Arizona Category:Sports venues in Phoenix, Arizona Category:1956 establishments in Arizona