The Arizona Racing Commission officially awarded Skyfall 7 a commercial horse racing permit and teletrack permit to operate Turf Paradise for three years and additionally operate 36 off-track betting sites during a Dec. 15 meeting.
While the Skyfall 7 management team, led by general manager Tom Ludt, has overseen day-to-day operations on a conditional basis since Turf Paradise opened for its 70th season Nov. 10, the official action formally transfers the permits from TP Racing to Skyfall 7.
"This permit represents much more than a formality; it's a commitment to Turf Paradise, its horsemen, its fans, and the entire Arizona racing community," Ludt said. "We're incredibly proud of the progress already made, and we're just getting started. Our goal is to honor Turf Paradise's rich history while building an exciting, modern future that everyone can be proud of."
The track, which is currently racing Monday through Thursday, will resume live racing Dec. 26 after being dark Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Live racing continues through May 2.
Granting approval to the OTB permits produced the most discussion during the commission meeting because Arizona law requires each of the municipalities where an OTB is located to grant its own approval in additional to state approval.
David Johnson, vice president and assistant general manager at Turf Paradise, said the OTB network delivers 78% of Turf Paradise's in-state business and provides $3.7 million in purses, so keeping the network operating uninterrupted is vital to the health of the racing industry overall.
Tom Auther, owner of Arizona Downs, however, urged commissioners to wait until the municipalities had granted their approvals before the commission signed off on the OTB permits.
"There is a (state) requirement that all these municipalities approve the new permittee. This is a landlord-tenant situation," Auther said. "You can say we are going to do this conditionally, but I think this is a slippery slope when you don't follow the regulations. It should have been done prior to this. When we ran our track, we had to dot all our i's and cross all our t's and we didn't have all the approvals and were not allowed to open. I think following the law is the best thing."
Ludt countered Auther's position that Skyfall 7 has a mix of verbal and written commitments from the municipalities but that many of them will not be able to put this issue on their governing boards' agendas until January. He urged the commission to grant conditional approval to avoid interruptions in operating.
"It is in our acquisition costs to operate these OTBs without interruption, so we are asking for conditional agreement so we can finalize the details," he said.
Commission chair Kandace French Contreras, and commissioners Chuck Coolidge, Jay Zucker, and James Padish all granted their conditional approval. The commissioners also granted approval to advance-deposit wagering platforms Twinspires (operated by Churchill Downs Inc.), TVG Network, Xpressbet, and a new agreement with NYRABets.
Skyfall 7 is led by Southern California real estate investor and longtime Thoroughbred owner Gary Hartunian, whose vision emphasizes reinvestment, modernization, and long-term stability for the iconic racetrack. Several upgrades are already underway, with many more planned in the months ahead. Among the first new features fans will experience is a VIP Player's Lounge located on the fourth floor, offering a premium atmosphere and a private outdoor patio with sweeping views of the racetrack.
As Turf Paradise enters its next chapter, Skyfall 7 said it remains focused on strengthening racing operations, improving facilities, and creating a first-class experience that celebrates the track's legacy while positioning it for sustained success.
