Meet opens ‘for the horsemen’

PHOENIX – The Arizona racing industry took a body blow when Turf Paradise closed last March due to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly two months ahead of its scheduled closure. Things looked even more bleak when the track later announced it would not run a 2020-21 meeting.

However, after negotiations between the track and the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, an agreement was reached to run a 2021 meet. Monday is opening day – coming nearly three months after the track’s customary October start – and the 84-day meet runs through May 1 on a Monday-through-Friday basis.

As with so many other tracks around the country, there will be protocols to follow for horsemen and staff to avoid spread of the coronavirus. At first, as many as 50 patrons will be allowed to attend the races, and only on the ground floor and outside apron. That number could increase as the meet progresses. The clubhouse and turf club will be closed for the meet, and there will be no food or beverage service. Maskwearing and social distancing are mandatory.

Purse money will get a boost, going from $80,000 a day at the last meet to $110,000 this meet.

“We are running this meet primarily for the horsemen,” general manager Vince Francia said. “It has been an incredible effort by everyone in very challenging times to pull everything together.”

Besides the hardship caused by the virus, the track continues in a legal battle with signal provider Monarch and northern Arizona racetrack Arizona Downs. As a result, bettors cannot wager on Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, and some other tracks.

First post for live racing is 12:30 p.m. The only Saturday scheduled is closing day, May 1, which also is Kentucky Derby Day. The track will be dark on Monday, April 26, and Tuesday, April 27. Simulcasting will be available seven days a week at the numerous offtrack betting sites.

The meet’s marquee day is March 12, with the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup, $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Handicap, $50,000 Arizona Oaks, and $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby.

The meet will start with a new track announcer, England native Craig Braddick. He most recently called races at Rillito Park in southern Arizona. He’ll also maintain the track’s Facebook and Twitter profiles.

Hank Mills Sr. Stakes

Northern California raider El Chavo Del Ocho may be the one to beat in the $27,500 Hank Mills Sr. Stakes for 4-year-olds and up Monday. The 6 1/2-furlong event drew a full field of 12.

Owned by Abel Lizardi and trained by Jonathan Wong, El Chavo Del Ocho has won three of his last four. While two of those wins came on synthetic footing at Golden Gate, the first of the three came on dirt at Pleasanton, so the footing switch shouldn’t be an issue. He is 3-2-1 in his 10 starts on dirt. Noel Vigil rides El Chavo Del Ocho.

Other contenders include Pendleton, a multiple stakes winner in New Mexico; Ramblin Man, a speedster and stakes winner here; and Black Ops, a stakes winner in New Mexico.