Report: After HISA delay, Turf Paradise gets 45-day renewal

Citing progress in improvements at Turf Paradise, the Arizona Department of Gaming granted a second 45-day conditional permit for the track.

BloodHorse reported that the permit will expire Jan. 26. 

Turf Paradise was granted a three-year conditional permit in July to operate the track until 2027, and its fall met was scheduled to begin Nov. 2. But the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and the ADG recommended a delay to the start of the meet after inspecting the track in October.

The Arizona Racing Commission then granted a 45-day conditional permit that was set to expire Thursday, and the meet began Nov. 11. The second 45-day permit was approved at a meeting Wednesday, according to the report, and will be addressed again at a Jan. 10 meeting.

Brian Duncan, racing enforcement and operations manager for the ADG, said Turf Paradise had added new tractors and harrows and installed an additional tank to help fill water trucks, according to the report. But the trucks dispense water inconsistently, resulting in varying degrees of wetness.

Turf Paradise owner and chairman Jerry Simms told the ARC that obtaining three new trucks is his highest priority.

The track still is expected to create maintenance logs for areas such as the receiving barn, improve signage and management in the paddock and barn areas, install backstretch speakers and resolve sewage problems with backstretch restrooms, according to the report.

Turf Paradise's financial report has not been completed, and no definite timeline was provided for when it would be.