Turf Paradise cancels after first-race spill

PHOENIX – Turf Paradise canceled live racing Tuesday after a spill and fatal breakdown in day’s first race. The track had canceled the racing cards of Jan. 1 and 2 after heavy rain hit the Phoenix area over the weekend.

Running for Annie, ridden by Jake Barton, was well back while racing wide into the lane in Tuesday’s opener, a maiden-claiming sprint, when she broke down and fell. The Paulick Report reported that Barton did not suffer any serious injury, though Running for Annie had to be euthanized.

The horse behind her, Darn Pretty Girl, swerved to avoid the fallen rider and hit the rail, losing her jockey, Erick Lopez. Lopez suffered a cut on his shoulder, according to the Paulick Report, while Darn Pretty Girl was uninjured.

After that riders met with track officials and the remainder of the card was scrapped.

Live racing is scheduled to resume Wednesday.