Turf Paradise Horseracing
Turf Paradise is a thoroughbred and quarter horseracing facility in Phoenix, Arizona with two tracks.
Its live racing season has been quite flexible of late, starting either in September or January and closing in May. Turf Paradise hosts several important stakes events each year including the Phoenix Gold Cup, Sun City Handicap, Tempe Handicap, Scottsdale Handicap, Cactus Flower Handicap, and the Grand Canyon Handicap.
Turf Paradise Facts
- Main Track: One mile, oval
- Turf Course: 7 furlongs
- Distance from last turn to finish line: 990 feet
History of Turf Paradise
1954 - Phoenix businessman Walter Cluer, purchased 1,400 acres of barren desert at what is now Bell Road and 19th Avenue. His vision was to build a first-class racetrack in Phoenix.
1956 - On January 7, Turf Paradise opened its doors. The people of Phoenix filled every seat in a warm welcome to the advent of pari-mutuel racing to Arizona. Cluer remained as head of the track for nearly 25 years.
1980 - Herb Owens took over ownership and Turf Paradise was renovated. The Clubhouse was enlarged and a Turf Club was added. A seven-furlong infield turf course with a one mile and one-eighth chute was also added.
1989 - Robert Walker became Turf Paradise's third owner. He was a prime mover in bringing off-track betting to Arizona.
1994 - Turf Paradise was purchased in a stock acquisition by California-based Hollywood Park, under the chairmanship of R.D. Hubbard.
2000 - On June 16, Jerry Simms became Turf Paradise's new owner when he purchased the track for $53 million. He immediately set out on a $5 million renovation plan that included complete makeovers of the Clubhouse and Turf Clubs. He also renovated the main track and turf course.
2003 - An equine swimming pool was built in the stable area of the racetrack. The pool was designed to provide therapy for the thoroughbreds stabled on the backside.
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Horseracing Tracks
- Arizona
- Rillito Park - Tucson
- Turf Paradise - Phoenix
- Yavapai Downs - Prescott Valley
- Arkansas
- California
- Alameda County Fair - Pleasanton
- Bay Meadows Racecourse - San Mateo
- Del Mar - Del Mar
- Fairplex Park - Pomona
- Ferndale Race Track - Ferndale
- Golden Gate Fields - Albany
- Hollywood Park - Inglewood
- Los Alamitos Race Course - Cypress
- Santa Anita Park - Arcadia
- Sonoma County Fair, Santa Rosa
- The Big Fresno Fair, Fresno
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Arlington Park - Chicago
- Balmoral Park Harness Racing - Crete
- Fairmount Park - Collinsville
- Hawthorne Race Course - Chicago
- Maywood Park - Maywood Park
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Churchill Downs - Louisville
- Ellis Park - Henderson
- Keeneland - Lexington
- Kentucky Downs - Louisville / Franklin
- Red Mile - Lexington
- Turfway Park - Florence
- Louisiana
- Delta Downs - Vinson
- Evangeline Downs - Lafayette
- Fair Grounds Race Course - New Orleans
- Louisiana Downs - Bossier City
- Maryland
- Laurel Park - Maryland
- Ocean Downs - Ocean City
- Pimlico - Baltimore
- Rosecroft Raceway - Fort Washington
- Timonium - Timonium
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Great Lakes Downs - Muskegon
- Hazel Park Raceway - Hazel Park
- Mount Pleasant Meadows - Mt. Pleasant
- Minnesota
- Canterbury Park - Shakopee
- Nebraska
- Fonner Park - Grand Island
- Horsemen's Park - Omaha
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Freehold Raceway - Freehold
- Meadowlands Racetrack - East Rutherford
- Monmouth Park - Oceanport
- New Mexico
- Downs at Albuquerque - Albuquerque
- Ruidoso Downs - Ruidoso
- Sunland Park - Sunland
- SunRay Park and Casino - Farmington
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Fair Meadows - Tulsa
- Remington Park - Oklahoma City
- Will Rogers Downs - Claremore
- Oregon
- Portland Meadows - Portland
- Pennsylvania
- Ladbroke at the Meadows - Pittsburgh
- Penn National Race Course - Grantville
- Philadelphia Park - Bensalem
- Pocono Downs - Wilkes-Barre
- Texas
- Virginia
- Colonial Downs - New Kent
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Wyoming Downs - Evanston