The Turf Paradise Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually between early and mid February at Turf Paradise Race Course in Phoenix, Arizona. The race is open to three-year-old horses and is competed over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt. It is an ungraded stakes race that is a prep for the Kentucky Derby, although it does not offer Derby qualifying points.[1]

Turf Paradise Derby
Ungraded race
LocationTurf Paradise
Phoenix, Arizona
Inaugurated1986
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
Websiteturfparadise.com
Race information
Distance1+116 miles (8.5 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
WeightAssigned
Purse$75,000

Inaugurated in 1986, the Turf Paradise Derby was run at a distance of one mile but the following year was modified to its present distance of one and one-sixteenth miles.

Records

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Speed record:

  • 1:41.72 – Startac (2001)

Most wins by a jockey:

  • 3 – Scott Stevens (1993, 2006, 2017)

Most wins by a trainer:

  • 5 – Doug Oliver (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995)

Most wins by an owner:

  • 2 – Alice Mettler (1989, 1990)
  • 2 – Allan Burdick (1991, 1992)
  • 2 – Arnulf & Rebecca Ueland (1991, 1992)
  • 2 – Dennis E. Weir (1996, 1999)

Winners of the Turf Paradise Derby

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Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
2024 E J Won The Cup Armando Ayuso Doug O’Neil Superfecta King Stable 1:43.80
2023 American Blaze Karlo Lopez Clay Brinson Terry Hamilton & Murray House 1:45.54
2022 Chrome King Enrique Garcia Miguel L. Hernandez Stable H.M.A. 1:44.11
2021 It's My House Glenn Corbett Jamey Thomas Larry M. Katz 1:45.05
2020 Swagsational Kassie Gulielmino Heath Lawrence Keith Swagerty 1:46.50
2019 Senor Friday Francisco Arrieta Robertino Diodoro Charles Garvey 1:44.44
2018 Primo Touch Andrew Ramgeet Dan McFarlane Dino Bates 1:44.30
2017 Howdy Kingkowboy Scott Stevens Molly Pearson Turner Shiew 1:43.95
2016 Nightly News David Lopez Dan McFarlane Hal J. Earnhardt III 1:44.86
2015 Why Two Aaron T. Gryder Michael Machowsky Kagele Brothers 1:44.39
2014 Lotsa Mischief Skyler Whiteshield Dan McFarlane Filippo Santoro, William Mathews, & Marvin Fleming 1:45.50
2013 Persuasive Paul Joe Steiner Doug O'Neill John Fuller 1:44.16
2012 Taylors Deal Mario Gutierrez Sandi Gann North American Thoroughbred Racing Company 1:43.82
2011 Beer Meister Glenn Corbett Manuel Ortiz William A. Burns, Jim Egger, & Val-U Chem, Inc. 1:44.99
2010 Dixie Commander Wilson Dieguez Steven Miyadi Blue Gate Corp. and Steve Miyadi 1:45.97
2009 Mayor Marv David Flores Bob Baffert Michael E. Pegram 1:43.23
2008 Nikki’sgoldensteed Jon Court Robert Hess Jr. Matthew Lomas & Gary D. Spenser 1:42.81
2007 Tie Rod Juan G. Rivera Joe Johnson John Pendergast & Joesph E. Johnson 1:43.91
2006 Keagan Scott Stevens Scott Kruljac Gary Olson, Randy Bafus, Gary Stevenson & Eric J. Kruljac 1:43.90
2005 General John B Jon Court Roger Stein Ross McLeod 1:45.48
2004 Mambo Train Emile Ramsammy Marcelo Polanco Everest Stables 1:42.07
2003 Robledo David Flores Vladimir Cerin Push Push Stables 1:41.74
2002 Captain Squire Chance Rollins Donald Mills Jeff Diener & Robert Bone 1:41.76
2001 Startac Alex Solis Simon Bray Allen E Paulson 1:41.72
2000 Gilty Moment Luis H. Jauregui Richard Mandella Diamond A Racing 1:42.60
1999 Eagleton Isaias Enriquez Kevin Lewis Dennis E. Weir 1:47:80
1998 Availability Garrett Gomez Walter Greenman Winchell Thoroughbreds 1:44.20
1997 White Hot Danny Sorenson Kathy Walsh Clara Dolan & John F. Duggan 1:44.40
1996 Bombay Sandi L. Gann Kevin Lewis Jim Weir & Dennis E. Weir 1:44.20
1995 Speed Predicted Jake Barton Doug Oliver Karen Underwood & Wayne Underwood 1:43.40
1994 Screaming Don Joey Castro Lanny Sharp Tom Said, Don Heim & Lanny Sharp 1:42.00
1993 Smokin Albert Scott Stevens Zenon Lipowicz Phon Sutton 1:42.60
1992 Wavering Scene Tim Masters Doug Oliver Allen Burdick, Arnulf Ueland & Rebbeca Ueland 1:48.40
1991 Honor the Hero Tim Masters Doug Oliver Allen Burdick, Arnulf Ueland & Rebbeca Ueland 1:44.80
1990 Axe Age Alfredo Guerrero Doug Oliver Alice Mettler 1:42.60
1989 Stalixis Alfredo Guerrero Doug Oliver Alice Mettler 1:44.60
1988 Art's Angel Darrel McHargue Neil French Robert Walker & Bonnie Walker 1:44.20
1987 Three Phase Carl Kutz Bart Hone Sky Hi Stable 1:43.60
1986 Chuck N Luck Kenneth Hare Creed Botts Donald Baldwin 1:36.40

References

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  1. ^ "2022/23 Kentucky Derby Prep Races". kentuckyderby.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.