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.
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 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 Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time2026Independent Rise Guillermo Rodriguez Robertino DiodoroSteve Regan, Sheila Regan & Norman Tremblay1:42.162025Bodi ZafaCarlos MontalvoWade RodrickGeorge Todaro1:42.582024E J Won The CupArmando AyusoDoug O’NeilSuperfecta King Stable 1:43.802023American BlazeKarlo LopezClay BrinsonTerry Hamilton & Murray House1:45.542022Chrome KingEnrique GarciaMiguel L. HernandezStable H.M.A.1:44.112021It's My HouseGlenn CorbettJamey ThomasLarry M. Katz1:45.052020SwagsationalKassie GulielminoHeath LawrenceKeith Swagerty1:46.502019Senor FridayFrancisco ArrietaRobertino DiodoroCharles Garvey1:44.442018Primo TouchAndrew RamgeetDan McFarlaneDino Bates1:44.302017Howdy KingkowboyScott StevensMolly PearsonTurner Shiew1:43.952016Nightly NewsDavid LopezDan McFarlaneHal J. Earnhardt III1:44.862015Why TwoAaron T. GryderMichael MachowskyKagele Brothers1:44.392014Lotsa MischiefSkyler WhiteshieldDan McFarlaneFilippo Santoro, William Mathews, & Marvin Fleming1:45.502013Persuasive PaulJoe SteinerDoug O'NeillJohn Fuller1:44.162012Taylors DealMario GutierrezSandi GannNorth American Thoroughbred Racing Company1:43.822011Beer MeisterGlenn CorbettManuel OrtizWilliam A. Burns, Jim Egger, & Val-U Chem, Inc.1:44.992010Dixie CommanderWilson DieguezSteven MiyadiBlue Gate Corp. and Steve Miyadi1:45.972009Mayor MarvDavid FloresBob BaffertMichael E. Pegram1:43.232008Nikki’sgoldensteedJon CourtRobert Hess Jr.Matthew Lomas & Gary D. Spenser 1:42.812007Tie RodJuan G. RiveraJoe JohnsonJohn Pendergast & Joseph E. Johnson1:43.912006KeaganScott StevensScott KruljacGary Olson, Randy Bafus, Gary Stevenson & Eric J. Kruljac1:43.902005General John BJon CourtRoger SteinRoss McLeod1:45.482004Mambo TrainEmile RamsammyMarcelo PolancoEverest Stables1:42.072003RobledoDavid FloresVladimir CerinPush Push Stables1:41.742002Captain SquireChance RollinsDonald MillsJeff Diener & Robert Bone1:41.762001StartacAlex SolisSimon BrayAllen E Paulson1:41.722000Gilty MomentLuis H. JaureguiRichard Mandella Diamond A Racing1:42.601999EagletonIsaias EnriquezKevin LewisDennis E. Weir1:47:801998AvailabilityGarrett GomezWalter GreenmanWinchell Thoroughbreds1:44.201997White HotDanny SorensonKathy WalshClara Dolan & John F. Duggan1:44.401996BombaySandi L. GannKevin LewisJim Weir & Dennis E. Weir1:44.201995Speed PredictedJake BartonDoug OliverKaren Underwood & Wayne Underwood1:43.401994Screaming DonJoey CastroLanny SharpTom Said, Don Heim & Lanny Sharp1:42.001993Smokin AlbertScott StevensZenon LipowiczPhon Sutton1:42.601992Wavering SceneTim MastersDoug OliverAllen Burdick, Arnulf Ueland & Rebbeca Ueland1:48.401991Honor the HeroTim MastersDoug OliverAllen Burdick, Arnulf Ueland & Rebbeca Ueland1:44.801990Axe AgeAlfredo GuerreroDoug OliverAlice Mettler1:42.601989StalixisAlfredo GuerreroDoug OliverAlice Mettler1:44.601988Art's AngelDarrel McHargueNeil FrenchRobert Walker & Bonnie Walker1:44.201987Three PhaseCarl KutzBart HoneSky Hi Stable1:43.601986Chuck N LuckKenneth HareCreed BottsDonald Baldwin1:36.40
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