Bienvenidos kicks off 60th season
PHOENIX – Walter Cluer saw a patch of dirt north of Phoenix and had a vision. His dream turned out to be Turf Paradise, which opens its 2015-16 meet on Friday and will celebrate its 60th season.
The 136-day meet will run through May 8. Racing will be conducted primarily on a Saturday-through-Wednesday schedule, with first post at 12:55 p.m. Pacific. Turf Paradise also will race the Fridays of Oct. 30 (first day of the Breeders’ Cup) and May 6 (Kentucky Oaks Day).
Simulcast wagering will be offered seven days a week, except Dec. 24-25. The track will celebrate its 60th anniversary Jan. 16.
Overnight purses have been raised 6 percent from last year’s meet, and a 10 percent bonus program has been instituted for Arizona-breds who win open races.
Last year’s leading trainer, Robertino Diodoro, returns along with top conditioners Dan McFarlane, Mike Chambers, Molly Pearson, and Miguel Silva. Racing secretary Michael Harlow said there will be at least 12 new outfits stabled here at this meet. Approximately 1,900 horses will be on the grounds.
Robert Fox will be the new announcer. Fox, the regular announcer for Ruidoso Downs, is a graduate of the Columbia School of Broadcasting. He also has been the race-caller for Zia Park and Evangeline Downs.
A couple of tough local sprinters, Omar and Absolutely Cool, look to push back Southern California raider Ankeny Hill in the $35,000 Bienvenidos on Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong event drew a field of nine.
Absolutely Cool won the meet’s marquee event, the Phoenix Gold Cup, at 13-1 last February but hasn’t won in six starts since. The 8-year-old Absolutely Cool comes off a rallying second in a sprint stakes at Emerald Downs on Sept. 13.
Ankeny Hill shipped here for last year’s Phoenix Gold Cup and, after dueling on a sizzling pace, finished fifth behind Absolutely Cool and Omar, who was third.
BIENVENIDOS (RACE 8)
KEY CONTENDERS
Ankeny Hill (Last 3 Beyers: 80-87-77)
◗ Speedster ran fourth last out in a sprint stakes at Del Mar on Sept. 7. Big Macher, a Grade 1 winner, won the race and is pointing for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
◗ Hasn’t won in more than 13 months but has run well and comes here off three strong works.
Absolutely Cool (Last 3 Beyers: 84-86-85)
◗ Finished third in this race last year.
◗ Has recorded six of his eight victories here.
Omar (Last 3 Beyers: 5-78-81)
◗ Has been off since giving way badly in a sprint stakes at Northlands Park on Aug. 15 but won his prior two starts.
◗ Has done some of his best work here, winning 4 of 6, including last fall’s Caballos del Sol.