Turf Paradise seeks to open Jan. 29

Turf Paradise is finalizing an application to the state’s racing commission that would ask for approval of a 57-day meet starting on Jan. 29, according to officials of the current owners of the Phoenix racetrack.

Vince Francia, the longtime general manager of the track under current owner Jerry Simms, said on Thursday morning that the application was being finalized “as we speak.” The meet would run through May 4, the date of the Kentucky Derby, Francia said.

The application is being submitted by Turf Paradise in the expectation that a sale of the track will close in the coming weeks. In late September, a group headed by Richard Moore emerged as a potential buyer of the track after a previous deal fell apart. The group, called Turf Paradise Land Trust, has promised to invest tens of millions of dollars in the track.

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The sale is “proceeding,” Francia said.

“The past five weeks, daily, they’ve had architects and contractors out here because they plan to invest a significant amount of money,” Francia said.

Under Arizona racing regulations, Turf Paradise cannot send out stall applications until it has an approved operating permit. The track’s previous permit expired in September.

Francia said that the pending application is being submitted with a request for an emergency meeting of the Arizona Department of Racing.

“Yesterday would be good with us,” Francia said. “As soon as they can get it done will be great for us.”

Under the current plans, the backstretch at Turf Paradise would open on Dec. 19. Training over the main track would begin on Dec. 26, Francia said.

Twice this year, horsemen have extended an agreement with Turf Paradise that allows the track to continue to import simulcasts while the sale is being negotiated. The current extension runs through Dec. 31.

Leroy Gessman, the executive director of the Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said that horsemen met with track officials throughout Wednesday to hammer out details of the live meet, and said that horsemen were optimistic about the future for the first time in months.

“We’re ready to get started,” Gessman said. “It’s been a long battle.”

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