Online horse racing wagering is now legal in Arizona

Arizona features year-round horse racing

Arizona conducts Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing year-round. Arizona Downs and Turf Paradise are the primary venues, and Rilito Park has held a boutique meet in late winter.

Turf Paradise, which races from late October/early November to May, opened its doors in 1956. The Phoenix track underwent renovations after being purchased by local businessman Jerry Sims in 2003, and it has a one-mile dirt oval and seven-furlong turf course.

The Phoenix Gold Cup and Turf Paradise Derby have been among the best-known stakes offerings. Notable Phoenix Gold Cup winners include Answer Do, Raise a Man, and Zany Tactics. The Turf Paradise Derby showcased several graded stakes winners over the years, including Startac, who went on to win the Grade 1 Secretariat at Arlington after capturing the 2001 edition.

Justin Evans easily led all trainers the most recent Turf Paradise meet, recording 64 wins. Juan Pablo Silva is a mainstay at the top of the standings, and Robertino Diodoro, who led the 2018-19 standings with 67 wins, stables a string at Turf Paradise.

Diodoro has become a national presence. Also a leading trainer at Oaklawn Park, Diodoro was on the Triple Crown trail in 2021 with Grade 2 winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Keepmeinmind, and he’s also maintained a barn at Churchill Downs and Saratoga.

Leading Turf Paradise jockeys in recent years include Francisco Arrieta, Glenn Corbett, Angel Cruz, Luis Fuentes, Alfredo Juarez, Luis Negron, Scott Stevens, and Denny Velazquez.

From 2000-2010, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing was conducted at Yavapai Downs in Prescott Valley. The facility reopened in 2019 as Arizona Downs. After shuttering in 2020 due to the  COVID-19 pandemic, Arizona Downs resumed racing in June, 2021.

Six Ninety One, a nine-year-old gelding who is on pace to lead North America by wins in 2021, had compiled six wins at Turf Paradise and four wins at Arizona Downs by the end of August.

Rillito Park opened in 1940. Affiliated with the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program, the Tuscon track holds an important distinction. Rillito Park is recognized as the birthplace of Quarter Horse racing, and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Online Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse wagering, which covers desktop, app, and mobile, will be able to Arizona residents beginning Sept. 9. Bet on horse racing at TwinSpires!

What opportunities exist for Arizona residents in betting horse racing?

Due to legislation, some restrictions will apply. Online wagering will be limited to the hours of operation for specific race tracks and brick-and-mortar off-track betting locations, some tracks will not be eligible for online wagering, and wagering on harness racing will not be available.

What race some of the race tracks we can bet on in Arizona?

• ALBUQUERQUE
• ARAPAHOE PARK
• ARLINGTON
• BELTERRA PARK
• CENTURY MILE
• DELAWARE PARK
• EVANGELINE DOWNS
• EMERALD DOWNS
• CHARLES TOWN RACES
• KENTUCKY DOWNS
• LOUISIANA DOWNS
• PENN NATIONAL
• PRAIRIE MEADOWS
• REMINGTON PARK
• WOODBINE