
Both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing have long been popular in Arizona, and the state has a deep racing tradition. As of September 2025, Turf Paradise in Phoenix is the only racetrack in Arizona with a live racing permit, after Arizona Downs lost its license in 2023. Turf Paradise also operates a network of more than 60 off-track betting locations in bars, restaurants, and other venues across the state, giving bettors plenty of opportunities to wager on races without going to the track, while online racebooks provide an additional, convenient way for Arizona players to participate in horse racing action.
Recommended Online Racebooks
Even with plenty of off-track betting venues, it isn’t always convenient to make the trip in today’s busy world. That’s where online racebooks come in, letting you wager on all the same races you’d find at an OTB—and more. Many platforms now also feature futures and prop betting on horse races, alongside integrated sports and casino wagering. Unlike OTBs, online racebooks sweeten the deal with perks such as sign-up and deposit bonuses, referral rewards, and horse racing rebates that return cash or betting credit on every wager. These incentives make wagering online one of the most flexible and rewarding ways to stay connected to the racing action in Arizona.
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Horse Racing in Arizona
Turf Paradise in Phoenix is the only racetrack in Arizona currently hosting live racing. Open since 1956, it typically runs from late October or early November through early May, featuring Thoroughbred races on both dirt and turf as well as Quarter Horse events. The facility also includes an on-site equine pool, providing low-impact training for horses stabled there. Rillito Park, long regarded as the cradle of Quarter Horse racing in the state, last held races in 2023 but remains on hiatus as it awaits extensive renovations and a clear path toward reopening, and it is not expected to return to live racing in 2026.
Arizona Horse Races
On the Thoroughbred side, major stakes races at Turf Paradise include the Turf Paradise Derby and Arizona Oaks for three-year-olds, the Phoenix Gold Cup for older sprinters, and the Cotton Fitzsimmons Handicap and Queen of the Green for older turf horses. In 2025, most of those races carry purses of $50,000 guaranteed. For Quarter Horses, leading events include the AQHA Quarter Horse Futurity for two-year-olds (though its purse is approximately $40,000-$45,000) and other key races like the Mike Hastings Memorial, Wayne Brasher Memorial, and Desert Classic Derby also generally in that same $35,000-$45,000 purse range.
OTB Locations in Arizona
Horseplayers who enjoy hanging out at the OTBs are fortunate in Arizona, as Turf Paradise operates a network of more than 60 off-track betting locations across the state licensed by the Arizona Department of Gaming. In addition to betting at the racetrack itself, fans can place wagers at bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, and American Legion halls that host simulcast racing. Many of these venues also feature live tellers and betting machines, along with seminars, watch parties, and food and drink specials, making them a popular place to enjoy the races while connecting with fellow fans.