Blue grass? It’s under consideration for Turf Paradise

Turf Paradise is seeking approval to make part of its turf track blue for the National Thoroughbred League’s races there Dec. 30.

Vincent Franzia, general manager of the Phoenix track, told Horse Racing Nation on Monday that the plan was proposed by the NTL and calls for 100 yards in the homestretch to be blue. He said the plan must be approved by the Arizona Department of Racing, stewards and the Jockeys’ Guild.

The plan was reported earlier in an X post by Darren Rovell, a media personality who specializes in sports business.

Franzia said he has reservations about the plan.

“Personally, I have concerns, because I know horses don't perceive color, but they perceive variations of gray,” he said. “I don't know how a horse would react to that if he sees it as a variation, if he would just keep running or if he would do something else, something that might endanger his own self, as well as that of a rider.”