Arizona Racing Commission Reinstates Skyfall 7 Permit; Turf Paradise Sets November 27 Opening

Quarter Horse racing in Arizona is moving forward following today's Arizona Racing Commission meeting, where commissioners voted to reinstate Skyfall 7's teletrack permit, clearing the way for racing to resume at Turf Paradise with opening day scheduled for Friday, November 27.

The announcement was made by Krystal Bourdieu, Executive Director of Arizona Quarter Racing & Breeders (AQRA), who also confirmed that preparations are underway for the upcoming race meet.

The main track at Turf Paradise is currently open for training, with an official clocker available daily except on Thursdays, which is the designated dark day.

AQRA has also released updated nomination lists for three upcoming Quarter Horse stakes events: the 2026 AQRA Futurity, Cactus Classic Futurity, and Cactus Classic Derby.

The Cactus Classic Futurity list reports 61 nominations, including five supplements, while the Cactus Classic Derby lists 31 horses, including one supplement. The AQRA Futurity nomination list includes 16 horses, with one drop.

Among the Cactus Classic Futurity supplements are Bolted, Hes Your Daddy, and Jess Send Her, all representing Jimenas Ranch and trainer Raul Ramirez. GBH Cowboy and Renikas Cowgirl, both owned by Tungsten Racing Partnership and trained by Eric Valenzuela, are also listed as supplements.

The Cactus Classic Derby nominations include several runners representing established Arizona connections, including Flying Rocco and Turn It Upp, both trained by Matt Fales, along with Cyber Courage and La Xtabay from the barn of Jesus Torres Casas. RR Royal Lew, representing Jimenas Ranch and trainer Raul Ramirez, is listed as a supplement.

The AQRA Futurity nominations include offspring of several prominent Quarter Horse stallions, including Apollitical Jess, Flying Cowboy 123, Tell Cartel, and PYC Paint Your Wagon.

Flying Cowboy 123 is represented by Cowboy Favorite, owned by Pierre and Leslie Amestoy and Roger Beasley and trained by Joe Davis, and Ooh Laa Laa, owned by Ralph or Carrie Fales and trained by Matt Fales.

Tell Cartel has three nominees on the AQRA Futurity list: Raising Tell, Swiftie Sass, and Unspoken.

Hair Testing Scheduled for Entry Day

Bourdieu emphasized that mandatory hair testing for the upcoming AQRA stakes races will be conducted on entry day.

Horsemen are instructed to have their horses on the grounds at Turf Paradise no later than 8 a.m. on entry day to comply with the testing requirements.

For additional information regarding the upcoming meet, nominations, or testing requirements, horsemen may contact Krystal Bourdieu at (623) 208-8250 or email krystal@aqrbreeding.com.

Additional information is available at www.azqra.com.

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