Horse racing is returning to Prescott Valley, filling a summertime void. The newly named Arizona Downs will give the sport a year-round presence in the state.

Yavapai Downs last ran horses in 2010. In January, it was bought out of bankruptcy court for $3.22 million. Ann McGovern is general manager. She said with Turf Paradise in Phoenix and Rillito in Tucson, a newly renovated Arizona Downs allows for year-round racing.
 
“You know, horsemen now really only have one or two places they can race. So, by adding a third place, we can provide a circuit, which allows them to stay in-state and not have to travel to other states to race their horses.”   
 
The new Arizona Downs will re-open to the public in July for simulcasting, which allows bets on out of town races. Plans call for off-track wagering facilities in sports bars and restaurants throughout the state.

The new ownership of the horse track in Prescott Valley has changed Yavapai Downs’ name to Arizona Downs. That was the name of a former racetrack in Phoenix that opened in 1951 at one site and later ran its annual race meetings by leasing Turf Paradise before ceasing operations in 1985.

Live racing is scheduled to begin in 2019 after $2.5 to $3.5 million in renovations. The general contractor is Midwest Construction, which has handled major renovation projects at Kentucky Downs, Remington Park and Lone Star Park.