Horsemen Air Frustrations to Arizona Racing Commission

Amid issues still needing correction at Turf Paradise and with racing in Arizona facing an uncertain future, horsemen representatives aired their frustrations to the Arizona Racing Commission.

One speaker, J. Lloyd Yother, president of the Arizona Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association, asked commissioners during its monthly meeting Feb. 8 to pin down commitments from the state's racetracks to find out "what their intentions are" and "give us something that we can go to our horsemen about so they can plan for their futures." 

Turf Paradise began its meet Jan. 29, a delayed opening from its customary fall start after track owner Jerry Simms said a potential sale fell through. Simms reiterated Thursday his desire to sell the property.

Meanwhile, two other tracks in the state—Arizona Downs and Rillito Park Race Track—are not currently in operation. Financially troubled Arizona Downs, which last raced in 2022, had its live racing permit revoked by the commission, and this winter, the Pima County Board of Supervisors declined to allow Rillito to use the track for racing until three years of audited financial statements are provided.

Two weeks of racing at Turf Paradise has taken place with short fields and without racing on its turf course.

Simms said he intends to have racing at Turf Paradise next fall, its usual meet start, before adding that he wants his health to be good and for the ongoing season to go "smoothly" and without "the stress of fighting."