Turf Paradise may relocate under new owner over land issues
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Turf Paradise has operated near 19th Avenue and Bell Road since the 1950s, but it may relocate in a few years under its new owner, who are temporarily leasing the land. Photo: Jeremy Duda/Axios
Turf Paradise is under new ownership, and in a few years it'll likely have a new location as well.
Why it matters: Moving Turf Paradise would bring the end of a long era for that region of north Phoenix, which has been home to the racetrack for generations.
State of play: Former owner Jerry Simms sold the historic horse track last year, and its 70th season began under new management in November.
- But Simms still owns the land near 19th Avenue and Bell Road in north Phoenix, which he told Axios Phoenix he's also trying to sell.
That'll require Gary Hartunian, the Southern California real estate developer and race horse owner who bought the track, to find a new home for Turf Paradise.
- Hartunian told Axios that he and Simms weren't able to agree on a price for him to purchase the land. Simms said they didn't discuss it much.
Zoom in: Hartunian told us he'll probably start looking for new sites in a year or two.
- He has a two-year lease to operate at the current site, with three one-year extensions available.
- A new facility will likely cost $40 million to $50 million, Hartunian said, not including the land.
The intrigue: There's no telling where Turf Paradise may end up.
- They'd be seeking "the best deal on 125 acres," said general manager Tom Ludt, and the only geographic restriction is that it remain in Maricopa County.
- The name won't change, Hartunian said.
What's next: Simms said he has no timeline for selling the land.
- "We have a lot of interest. We'll see what happens," he said.
- Hartunian said he'd "never say never" to the possibility of reaching an agreement with Simms on the land, but "it's probably not looking very good."
Flashback: Original owner Walter Cluer intended to build the track near 56th Street and Shea Boulevard, but objections from residents led him to change the site to the current location, where it opened in 1956, the Arizona Republic reported at the time.
Catch up quick: Simms in 2023 planned to sell Turf Paradise to CT Realty to redevelop portions of the property for industrial, commercial and residential uses.
- But the developer backed out later that year, citing backlash from horsemen over the possible end of racing at Turf Paradise. CT Realty also faced opposition from Native American tribes over its attempts to get historic horse racing legalized in Arizona, which they worried would infringe on their gaming operations.
- The Arizona Racing Commission conditionally renewed the track's license for three years in 2024 as Simms eyed retirement and continued seeking a buyer, the Arizona Republic reported.
For now, Hartunian and Ludt are focused on making improvements and repairs to the current Turf Paradise, which they say is sorely in need of upgrades.
- Hartunian said he also wants to bring in a new chef to improve the food.