Page 72 - October 2023

Reviving Horse Racing in Arizona:
Lloyd Yother Remains Determined Amidst Uncertainty
by Michael Compton
© Coady Photography
Horse racing in Arizona finds itself at a an industry that sustains livelihoods and jobs we have to go this route, but we didn’t have any
other choice.
Q. WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS TO BRING RACING BACK TO ARIZONA, AND WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS BEING DISCUSSED?
A. Jerry has told me that he has a possible new buyer for the racetrack. He has a proposal,
and he said the proposal looked acceptable but needs massaging. I don’t know exactly what that means, but the potential buyer is not a horse racing person but a businessman. I asked him who would be running the track, and I didn’t get a clear answer on that.
Anyway, he has a possible buyer, and we (the Arizona HBPA) have a couple of interested parties as well. One is from California and is interested
in buying property and building a new racetrack, which is a long-term (solution). We have another person who is interested in doing something with Arizona Downs, possibly running a meet there. These parties aren’t interested in Turf Paradise but are interested in building new tracks. They’ve asked me not to disclose names, but one of them even wants to keep the OTBs open. Without live racing, we can’t continue with the (simulcast) signal.
crossroads after the recent announcement that Turf Paradise, the largest racetrack in
the state, is shuttering its gates and ceasing operations. With the abrupt closure announced by track owner Jerry Simms, a cloud of uncertainty now hangs menacingly over the future of horse racing in Arizona. The decision casts a long shadow not only on the livelihoods of those employed at the track but also on the state’s equine breeding industry, which impacts both Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds.
Without live racing or simulcasting, the Phoenix track and its 37 off-track betting sites maintained by Turf Paradise will close effective on Oct. 1. As the dust settles and the implications
of this decision ripple through the racing and breeding industries, one question looms large: Can racing, which is deeply rooted in Arizona’s history, overcome this formidable hurdle?
At this critical junction, the impending closure of Turf Paradise marks an uncertain time for the future of horse racing in Arizona. In the face of adversity, however, passionate groups, and individuals, including Lloyd Yother and his team at the Arizona HBPA, are rallying together, fueled by their unwavering commitment to preserve
within the racetrack and breeding industries in the state. Because of their determined efforts to seek outside investment and breathe new life into Arizona’s horse racing landscape, there is hope
on the horizon that thundering hooves will once again echo across the Grand Canyon State.
Lloyd Yother, president of the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, is cautiously optimistic that a solution can be found that will see racing continue in Arizona. Speedhorse magazine caught up with Yother at the end of September for an update on the situation.
Q. CAN YOU UPDATE OUR READERS ON THE CURRENT STATE OF HORSE RACING IN ARIZONA?
A. It’s a moving target. As of now, Jerry (Simms) decided not to run a meet in 2024. The contract with the HBPA ends Sept. 30. He didn’t want an extension on a contract. Legally, he could have run to Dec. 30 because he ran a meet in 2023, but he chose not to. And they are pulling the plug on all the OTBs (Off-Track Betting locations) Sept. 30 as well. They’ve all been notified.
It’s devastating to the horsemen and the entire industry in Arizona. It’s ridiculous that
70 SPEEDHORSE October 2023