In a brief statement issued Aug. 1, Turf Paradise announced that the Phoenix track will not open for the traditional start of its meet in November. There is a possibility the track could race early next year, according to a horsemens’ representative, though nothing has been formally announced.
In April, Turf Paradise owner Jerry Simms entered into a sales agreement to sell the property to the real estate investment and development firm CT Realty. That sale is scheduled to close in December, per a membership update reportedly issued by Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association executive director Leroy Gessman that has circulated on social media.
According to its website, CT Realty targets the acquisition of developable industrial land for supply chain facilities in the United States.
Daily Racing Form reported this spring that one of CT Realty’s partners in Turf Paradise is Revolutionary Racing, a company that has been successful in other parts of the country with historical horse racing gaming.
Turf Paradise has typically raced from fall through spring, while Arizona Downs in Prescott Valley has raced in the summer. Arizona Downs did not open for racing this year amid financial difficulties but Gessman indicated in his update there is a chance it could resume racing, citing interest from racing companies.
Sign up for BloodHorse Daily
Turf Paradise opened in 1956. Simms has owned it since 2000, when he purchased it for $53 million.
