Turf Paradise has been ordered to pay more than $150,000 for safety issues at the facility and previous penalty fees.
The findings of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority have brought more scrutiny to the popular Phoenix racetrack, which has come under fire following the recent deaths of 24 horses at the track.
Officials at the track have agreed to a number of improvements, including:
- Repair all deficiencies in the track’s rails, insuring that all the panels uniformly run together and that no sharp edges remain
- Cover the beginnings of the rails in protective padding
- Improve the equine ambulance’s operational capacity if deemed necessary
- Restore the detention area previously established for horse observation by a veterinarian
- Secure the services of a farrier to monitor horseshoe compliance
Turf Paradise was assessed a $5,000 fine for non-compliance and non-enforcement of several different rules set in place by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
Additionally, it has been ordered to pay $155,611 from 2022 assessed fees in three monthly installments in March, April and May.
“We applaud the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for dropping the hammer on Turf Paradise, a track that’s been ridden with scandals and dozens of racehorse deaths in recent years,” said Marty Irby, executive director at Animal Wellness Action. “Leaders in American horseracing like The Jockey Club, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and others have worked diligently to clean up the sport but tracks like Turf Paradise continue to give the industry a black eye, and we’re elated to see the new Authority cracking down against violators in the industry. Violators of the new law must be dealt with swiftly and harshly as they have been in this case.”
