Wacky Fun and So Much More at Turf Paradise

Riding an ostrich is even harder than it looks. (Photo by Julie June Stewart)
There is a jewel of a desert oasis in Arizona and I highly recommend it for a getaway. Turf Paradise was the dream of Phoenix horse owner Walter Cluer, who purchased 1,400 acres 25 miles north of downtown Phoenix in 1954. By all accounts, the track was basically “in the middle of nowhere,” but that didn’t seem to hinder its appeal. It must have been exciting to have been present on opening day Jan. 7, 1956. People traveled for miles on dirt roads and filled the track to watch the racing, much as they do today. Looking east to the McDowell Mountains, it is beautiful to see water fowl visiting the three lakes in the infield under the graceful palm trees as horses charge down the stretch to the finish line. I have been told that there are catfish in the lakes “the size of a Buick!” Turf Paradise is host to both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. Once a year, they host a day of alternative racing featuring ostriches and camels. 
PERFECT FORM

Turf Paradise’s season runs from May through October. For tourists like me who need air conditioning, the clubhouse seats 1,000 folks. Based on the attendance, I have a feeling that Turf Paradise boasts more horsemen and women per square foot than any other track I have visited. Cowboy hats, belt buckles, boots, tanned faces and sterling silver, along with the ease that comes from years in the saddle, are prominent everywhere. One of the reasons there are so many horse folks is the length of the season. Horse people come and they stay. With 61 barns on the backside, more than 2,000 horses can call Turf Paradise home, and they also have the added benefit of a state-of-the-art equine pool to help keep them in optimum physical shape. The pool holds 140,000 gallons of water and can accommodate six horses at one time. 
2015 COYOTE STAKES

Coady Photography/Turf Paradise

COOLING MIST

Photo by Julie June Stewart
Turf Paradise was featured in the 1990 film noir movie “Grifters,” produced by Martin Scorsese and featuring John Cusack, Angelica Huston and Annette Bening. Over the years, it has been the playground of many Hollywood stars, including Jackie Gleason and English model and actress June Wilkinson. Another movie star was actually found at Turf Paradise. The bay Thoroughbred Sunday Rest had raced four races at Turf Paradise. He won the role of Mine That Bird over 400 other horses and starred in the movie “50 to 1.” On any given race day, it is not uncommon to see Kentucky-bred horses along with horses from California, Arizona, Florida and Texas. 
JACKIE GLEASON WITH THE JOCKEYS AT TURF PARADISE

Courtesy of Turf Paradise

JUNE WILKINSON VISITED THE ARIZONA RACETRACK

Courtesy of Turf Paradise
The entryway is beautifully landscaped, featuring tall palm trees, birds of paradise, yellow snapdragons, red hibiscus and the first white bougainvillea I have ever seen. It’s an easy walk from the entry to the track apron and a quick escalator ride to the clubhouse. I must say that every single employee I met was wonderful. Polite and professional, they dealt with the crowd deftly and made us all feel great to be there. There was quite a crowd as it was a very special day of racing featuring camel and ostrich racing. I walked down the track past a wonderland of activities for kids, which included bouncy houses with dragons. There are also thatch-roof huts beckoning adults with cool refreshing beverages — an absolute must in the Arizona sun! 
A GLIMPSE OF TURF PARADISE

Photo by Julie June Stewart

Photo by Julie June Stewart
The crowd grew deep along the rail and everyone raised their cell phones in anticipation of the first camel race. They were treated to quite a race as the camels surged from the starting gate. Number one immediately bucked off his jockey. Sitting astride a recalcitrant camel who turned back toward the starting gate, trainer Carl O’Callaghan cut quite a dashing figure in his jockey silks as he tried all kinds of horsemanship to get his camel to resume racing toward the finish line. Meanwhile, with Camel #1 bucking all over the track, the fourth camel remained sullenly in the starting gate. O’Callaghan got his camel to turn around and to the roar of the crowd, actually started heading to the finish line. But you just can’t convince a camel to do what you want it to do. His camel did a Quarter Horse spin and stopped just short of victory! No problem! O’Callaghan started backing him up toward finish line, spun him around and won while giving the crowd a Derby-like fist pump into the sky!
O’CALLAGHAN BACKED INTO A VICTORY

Photo by Julie June Stewart
Next came the ostriches. They stood fairly quiet in the starting gate with hoods covering their heads.  Their legs were all neatly wrapped in colorful bandages. The announcer deadpanned, “And they are underway in the Flying Feather Sprint!” to the cheers of the crowd. But here’s the deal when you are riding an ostrich. There are no reins, no bridle and no head gear. All you can do is hold on, which is exactly what jockey (and trainer) Twylla Bensmiller did. I asked Bensmiller what it felt like to ride an ostrich. She said, “It was a blast!! A little wild but another check off the bucket list! I think I will stick with horses!”
FLEET-FOOTED OSTRICH, MINUS THE JOCKEY

Photo by Julie June Stewart
This Saturday, March 26, the camels and ostriches return to Turf Paradise for what will be no doubt another fun-filled day in the sun. This time there will the addition of races for zebra, who are well known for being ornery and difficult to train. A full racing card also accompanies the day along with live music and the kid’s fun park with bounce inflatables and face painting. The alternative races are expected to be contested between 4:30 and 5 p.m. The track is also offering racing fans the opportunity to watch the Dubai World Cup via simulcast with gates opening at 8:30 a.m. Grandstand admission is only $2, with kids 16 years old and under admitted for free. Live racing starts at 1:25 p.m.   
Trainer Carl O’Callaghan will be back to defend his camel riding title. He said he will be, “going to the lead if I can and then don't look back!” Last year, I wondered when he won if it is socially acceptable to yell, “winner, winner chicken dinner” when your favorite ostrich crosses the finish line? It’s all in great fun. Join the crowd at the rail and cheer for your favorite zebra, camel and ostrich. And be sure to enjoy the entire racing card of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. Racing continues through May 8, and it’s well worth the trip!