Purses, -ËœFitzsimmons Mile- Stake Raised for Turf Paradise-s New Season

PHOENIX, Arizona Horsemen will get the best kind of Welcome Back to Turf Paradise as the track announced a 10% hike in overnight purses and a 26% increase in stakes purses for the upcoming race meet. A 157-day meet will run from October 1 thru May 6, 2012. Live racing will be conducted 5-days a week, primarily Friday thru Tuesday. The Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile, named after the late coach and executive of the Phoenix Suns and the Turf Paradise Derby have each been raised from $50,000 to $75,000. In addition, 32 other stakes have been boosted from $25,000 to $35,000. The Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile will be run at eight furlongs over the turf on January 14. The Turf Paradise Derby, at 1 1/16 miles, will be run February 25. Weve experienced an influx of wagering revenue this summer due to the in-state OTB system being operated by us, said track general manager Vincent Francia. We continue to pass along the benefits to our horsemen for the upcoming meet. Turf Paradise took over the OTB system May 30 when Yavapai Downs was unable to open their summer meet. A total of 206 trainers representing 2,010 horses and hailing from 22 states and four Canadian provinces are expected for the upcoming meet. Turf Paradise is getting off to a strong start in October. In addition to Opening Day on the 1st, Monday October 10th will see us celebrate Columbus Day with $2 Draft Beer and $1 grandstand admission. On Saturday October 22nd Turf Paradise will celebrate its first ever Beer Festival featuring craft beers from micro breweries and live music.