PHOENIX — Both Turf Paradise and Arizona Downs are under contract to be sold.
Jerry Simms, who has owned Turf Paradise since 2000, confirmed to ABC15 he is under contract to sell the track. He said he wants to spend more time with his grandchildren.
He said he cannot share anything else right now as the sale is not finalized yet.
“An offer has been made to Jerry Simms, the owner of the racetrack to purchase this racetrack by a man named James Watson,” the track’s General Manager Vincent Francia said on Saturday. “Mr. Simms wants to spend more time with his grandkids. He’s put in 22 good years and kept this place afloat.”
Watson’s company, CT Realty told ABC15 they would not be commenting on the matter due to a confidentiality agreement.
But with the race to a deal in its home stretch, rumors have spread about Watson's plan to redevelop, and potentially close Turf Paradise.
The news brought Mike Bailey and his family back to a track they hadn’t visited in five years.
“Hearing about the ownership change and worrying that they were going to close it down and not ever being able to see a race again,” Bailey said.
But Francia doesn’t believe Watson has any plans to close Turf Paradise.
“I’ve had multiple conversations with Mr. Watson and I do not get that indication, no.”
Francia has worked here for nearly half of the track’s 67-year existence. He hopes fans will give the new owner a chance if the deal goes through.
“[Watson’s] background is in industrial development, that’s what he has excelled in but he’s also been involved in horse racing before,” Francia said. “He was a member of the California Horse Racing Board. He owned Portland Meadows up in Oregon at one point.”
According to its website, Turf Paradise opened its doors in 1956.
Arizona Downs, the horse racing track in Prescott Valley is under contract to sell to The Stronach Group, a horse race track owner and management company per Arizona Downs co-owner Tom Auther.
He says the difference in their sale from Turf Paradise’s is Arizona Downs is selling to a horse racing company, not a developer.
If Turf Paradise closes, Auther says it is possible under The Stronach Group’s leadership Arizona Downs could extend its race dates later into the year.
