Safety repairs could threaten track's scheduled opener

The Arizona Department of Racing plans to meet in two weeks to determine whether Turf Paradise has complied with a laundry list of safety issues that have been identified by state regulators and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.

The ongoing repairs at Turf Paradise could threaten the track’s Nov. 2 opening date for its upcoming meet, which is scheduled to run through May 1 next year. Juan Estrada, the assistant director of the department, called for the emergency meeting on Thursday at a regularly scheduled department meeting, saying that the extra time would allow the department to “issue our final recommendation of the permittee's compliance with both state and federal safety requirements.”

“We are closely monitoring the progress of these repairs,” Estrada said. “We are confident that all parties are working toward the same goal.”

Vincent Francia, the longtime general manager of the track, told commissioners that Turf Paradise was sent a list in late June of approximately 60 items that needed to be addressed for the track to be in compliance with state and HISA regulations. He said 12 items remain on the list, and he said the track was confident the projects would be completed in time for the track to open on schedule.

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“They are all being tended to simultaneously right now to get things in order so that we can open,” Francia said.

Turf Paradise opened for training on Oct. 9. The track was supposed to open for training on Oct. 5, but a water line running to a well on the property ruptured. The line was fixed over the last several days, Francia said.

J. Lloyd Yother, the president of the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said that the ongoing repairs have complicated preparations that trainers are making in advance of the meet, including the need for horses to avoid maintenance equipment on the property.

“It has to be watched pretty close,” said Yother, who is also the president of the Arizona Quarter Horse Association.

Darrell Haire, the Western Regional Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild, said that he plans to arrive in Arizona in 10 days to review whether the repairs will be completed in time for the Nov. 2 opening. Haire first spoke with Francia over the summer over rider concerns about the property, he said.

“I’m still concerned in some situations,” Haire said.

Clarification: An earlier version of this article paraphrased Estrada as saying that Turf Paradise should not be allowed to open if the repairs were not completed.

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