Citing health concerns related to COVID-19, Turf Paradise has postponed the start of its meet this fall until Nov. 27 from its previously scheduled opening of Oct. 17. The Phoenix track was originally scheduled for a 133-day meet from Oct. 17-May 1 that will now run 110 days, still concluding May 1.
Arizona has been hard hit by COVID-19 since much of the country began reopening after a widespread lockdown this spring. The state reported more than 1,813 new cases on July 27, though hospitalizations have shown decreases after spiking in June and early July.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona has seen more than 163,827 cases of COVID and 3,304 deaths through Monday.
"We are hoping that by opening later the coronavirus situation will settle down in Arizona," said Turf Paradise general manager Vincent Francia in a release. "Regardless, we will have health protocols in place when the meet opens."
Turf Paradise ended its 2019-20 season prematurely in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of the horses that race there are split across the country during Arizona's hot summer months. Canterbury Park and Emerald Downs are two common destinations for horses from Turf Paradise before they return to the state in the fall.
"We are working with (Arizona) HBPA president Bob Hutton as to a date when the horses can begin to arrive in the stable area," Francia said.