Turf Paradise Gets Conditional Approval To Reopen OTBs Ahead Of Nov. 27 Racing Start

Nov 142026

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Turf Paradise Operator Gets Conditional OTB Reprieve

TDN – T.D. Thornton – Arizona Commission Conditionally Lifts Turf Paradise Suspension Two Weeks Before Start of Meet

Paulick Report – Chelsea Hackbarth – Turf Paradise Gets Conditional Approval To Reopen OTBs Ahead Of Nov. 27 Racing Start

Miracle Max

LANGUAGE WARNING:

Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.

Mark Twain

Lisztomania

Phil watched a few minutes of the end of the Arizona Commission’s hearing. The chap enjoying a bag of chips was a welcome diversion from the tedium. He was genuinely enjoying the chips unlike the myriad influencers pervading the internet with their coy insincere smiles and all too frequent posing with the product label.

The Commission did not appear impressed with what Skyfall 7 LLC said they’re going to do, especially in light of how little Skyfall 7 LLC had actually accomplished before the hearing and Skyfall 7 LLC’s performance in the past. Skyfall 7 LLC should listen to the Scout motto and Be Prepared.

You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.

Henry Ford

Opening day at Turf Paradise is November 27, 2026, but Skyfall 7 LLC may have to take a delay lesson from Century Casinos, Inc. as there is much to be done and many miles to go before opening day.

One of Skyfall 7 LLC’s major obstacles will be that they have to satisfy both the Arizona Commission and HISA and from the hearing it became obvious that the current state of HISA is just a fucking useless siphoning off of horsemen’s money. There may be a need for greater Federal oversight of racing in the US, but the current HISA is just an extra level of useless fucking bureaucrats.

Phil’s take is that the Arizona Commission does not want to be labelled as the killers of thoroughbred racing in Arizona so they gave Skyfall 7 LLC some leeway and if Skyfall 7 LLC can’t meet the conditions then the blame will fall on them rather than the Arizona Commission.

To err is human. To blame someone else is politics.

Hubert H. Humphrey

In The End

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.

Peter Drucker

Phil has a question:

Why doesn’t Horse Racing Alberta televise their meetings.

Roadhouse Blues

This Mess We’re In

Paulick Report – Turf Paradise, Arizona OTBs Remained Closed Through Breeders’ Cup

Phil has a question:

Has thoroughbred racing in Arizona been damaged beyond repair.

If Hartunian had the where with all to continue as Turf Paradise operator would this mess have not been resolved by now.

Paulick Report – Ray Paulick – Ongoing Closure Of Arizona OTBs Could Cost Horsemen $1 Million

Paulick Report – Arizona Regulators Suspend Turf Paradise Operator’s Wagering Permit

TDN – Dan Ross – Arbitrator Allows Skyfall 7 Back On Turf Paradise Property, Says Hartunian

Phil has a question:

When is Hartunian’s injunction application coming.

TDN – Bill Finley and Dan Ross – “We Gave Him a Proposal”: Tom Ludt Talks Separate Turf Paradise Lease Offer

Phil has a question:

Was Vic Stauffer retiring the canary in the coal mine

Paulick Report – Ray Paulick – Locked-Out Turf Paradise Operator Alleges Coordinated Effort To Oust Him

Phil has a question:

Does it matter who’s to blame when the horse racing industry ends up with another black eye.

Paulick Report – Turf Paradise Lockout: Property Owner Exercises Lease Agreement Rights

Phil has a question:

Have you noticed that crooked con-men like Donald Trump and his ilk have their own pet phrases to trick the MAGATS into continuing to believe.

What is a little dispute with the landlord.

Does a little dispute with the landlord actually mean months of unpaid rent.

It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.

George Washington

This Mess We’re In

Today, Jim Bakker’s heirs are legion. Like their predecessor, they understand that the game doesn’t have to be subtle to work. In fact, it’s better if it’s not.

The Ringer – Brian Phillips – The Death and Afterlife of an American Con Man

TDN – T.D. Thornton – Trouble in (Turf) Paradise: HBPA Alleges Six-Figure Sum Gone from Purse Account; Key Track Employees Have Quit

Paulick Report – Ray Paulick – More Resignations, Missing Purse Money Reported At Turf Paradise

Phil has a question:

When did misappropriating money from a trust account stop being plain old theft.

Horse Racing Nation – Ron Flatter – Turf Paradise future appears uncertain after GM’s sudden exit

Paulick Report – Chelsea Hackbarth – Report: Turf Paradise GM Abruptly Departs As New Meet Approaches

Bloodhorse – Frank Angst – Veteran Announcer Stauffer Retires From Calling Races

Paulick Report – Ray Paulick – Track Announcer Vic Stauffer Retires

TDN – Bill Finley – Focusing on Bringing People Back to the Track, Turf Paradise Appears Headed for a Brighter Future

TDN – T..D. Thornton – Long-Term Optimism, Short-Term Concerns With Turf Paradise On Cusp of Regime Change

Bloodhorse – Eric Mitchell – Future of Turf Paradise Discussed, Ludt Approved as GM