Turf Paradise is a horse racing venue located in north Phoenix, near the intersection of Bell Road and 19th Avenue. It's a pretty straightforward track experience, featuring both live racing on a one-mile dirt oval and a shorter, seven-furlong turf course. Wagering is, of course, a core part of the experience. It's a solid place to spend an afternoon if you're looking for some local racing action. Given its location in the Valley of the Sun, you can generally expect comfortable weather for much of the racing season, especially during the fall and winter months. Turf Paradise tends to draw a local crowd, from casual fans to seasoned handicappers. If you're new to horse racing or just want a relaxed place to watch the races without the glitz and glamour of some of the bigger national tracks, this is a good option.
Watch: Turf Paradise
Know Before You Go
- Race nights
- Most short tracks run Friday or Saturday night events from April through October. Always check the season calendar — many venues take rain dates or holiday breaks.
- Ticket pricing
- General admission is typically $15-40 for adults, pit passes $50-100. Children are often free or half-price. Bigger sanctioned events (touring series) cost more.
- What's racing
- Local oval classes commonly include late models, modifieds, sprint cars, hobby stock, and street stock. Bigger ovals also host NASCAR Weekly Series feature races.
- Bring earplugs
- Open-exhaust race cars push 130-145 dB at the fence — well above the threshold for hearing damage. Bring foam plugs or over-ear protection for kids.
- Schedule rhythm
- Race nights follow a consistent flow: hot laps and qualifying, heat races, then feature events. Plan for a 4-5 hour evening from gates open to checkered flag.