Turf Paradise Releases 2026-27 Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule

Arizona Quarter Racing & Breeders has released the Quarter Horse stakes schedule for the upcoming 2026-27 Turf Paradise race meet, featuring a slate of futurities, derbies, and stakes stretching from late November through early May.

Horsemen are reminded that payments for the Fall Futurities and Derbies are due Thursday, October 1. Nomination blanks for the fall races are available on the Arizona Quarter Racing & Breeders website at azqra.com.

The stakes schedule gets underway November 28 with the $25,000 Wayne Brasher Memorial for 3-year-olds and older at 300 yards.

Two of the richest early-season events are scheduled during the holiday season. The $75,000 Cactus Classic Open Quarter Horse Futurity, for 2-year-old Quarter Horses and Paints at 350 yards, will be contested December 26, following trials on December 5.

The $70,000 Cactus Classic Open Quarter Horse Derby, for 3-year-old Quarter Horses and Paints at 400 yards, is scheduled December 31. Trials will be held December 9.

Also on the December calendar is the AQRA Futurity, scheduled December 30 at 350 yards following trials December 8.

The 2027 portion of the schedule opens January 2 with the $25,000 Mike Hastings Memorial for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and older, going 300 yards.

The $15,000 Mark Villa Maiden Stakes for 3-year-old maidens is scheduled January 31 at 300 yards, with trials set for January 9.

Older horses return to the stakes spotlight February 7 in the $25,000 Allred Brothers Stakes, a 350-yard event for 3-year-olds and older. The $25,000 Desert Classic Derby for 3-year-olds follows February 21 at 350 yards.

Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and older, will be featured March 21 in the $25,000 Spring Fling at 350 yards.

The spring futurity and derby program begins April 4 with the AQRA President's Open Spring Derby at 350 yards. Trials for the event are scheduled March 14.

Two stakes are scheduled April 24. The $25,000 Mark T Bars Stakes will bring together 3-year-olds and older at 350 yards, while the AQRA Derby for accredited Arizona-bred 3-year-olds will also be contested at 350 yards. AQRA Derby trials are scheduled April 3.

The meet's listed stakes schedule concludes May 2 with a pair of events. The AQRA President's Open Spring Futurity will be contested at 300 yards following April 11 trials, while the Desert Classic Futurity for 2-year-olds will also be run at 300 yards after trials April 10.

Horsemen seeking nomination forms or additional information on the Turf Paradise stakes program can visit azqra.com.

For questions regarding the stakes schedule or nominations, contact Krystal Bourdieu, Executive Director of Arizona Quarter Racing & Breeders, at (623) 208-8250.

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