Report: Potential Turf Paradise buyers say racing could be delayed

Live racing at Turf Paradise could be delayed until February or March because of the compliance and regulatory processes involved.

Daily Racing Form reported that Richard Moore, majority partner of a group that plans to buy the Phoenix track, told the Arizona Racing Commission on Thursday that the deal is in escrow and that the licensing process only recently began.

That process could take 90 days, according to the report, and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority also might need 90 days’ notice before the track can open to ensure that the track complies with its regulations.

Moore and his partner in the venture, businessman Frank Nicken, emerged as buyers for the track in late September. Nickens told DRF that month that they planned to spend $50 million on improvements at the track.

The Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association extended a contract to allow Turf Paradise to import full-card simulcast signals, according to the report, and that extension expires Sunday. The HBPA scheduled a meeting for Friday to consider whether to extend that contract to Dec. 31.