New Showgrounds and Race Track Opens in Yavapai County

The spectacular new Yavapai Downs Grandstand

The Arizona Quarter Racing Association and its members want to say "Congratulations and Welcome" to the new Yavapai Downs at Prescott Valley. The new $22.5 million dollar complex is awesome.

When the horseman said good-bye to the old track at Prescott last September, it was with mixed emotions. This was the home of "summer" Quarter Horse racing for the past 87 years. At the last day of racing and the pictures were taken the realization that our dream had come true was still too much to accept. For the horseman who had trained and ridden on this 1/2 mile oval with a 330 shoot, it was too good to be true. Prescott Downs was nestled in the middle of a booming Prescott with no hope of getting the land to expand to the size needed. Over the past 30 years the Yavapai Fair Board bid on several plots of land but nothing ever jelled, until Mr. Jim Grundy came to the Downs as General Manager in 1998. One of his first duties was to find the land and bring about the dream of a new racetrack to Prescott. The land was found in Prescott Valley and with lots of consideration the Yavapai Fair Board said good-bye to Prescott and hello to Prescott Valley. One year to date, thanks to Mr. Grundy and his team of hard workers, racing begins.

Architect Gordon Gong with media consultants Tim Owens & Roxanne Vise,

Terry Ferguson, Yavapai Downs Marketing Director & Loretta Brasher, AQRA President

When you see the new fairgrounds you will not believe that this structure was built in the span of a year. We are in awe of the largeness and beauty of this multi-purpose complex. Set way out on highway 89A in the foothills of Mingus Mountain, it looks like an oasis in the desert. The clubhouse, which will also house the Yavapai County Fair, can be seen for over 20 miles in each direction. The 60,000 sq. foot lighted and heated special events/equestrian center at the entrance is a welcomed site for major hunter jumper events. Roping, barrel races and major horse show events are scheduled throughout the year. The Motocross track built at the West Side of the clubhouse will host local and major events throughout the year and will be a place for the local kids to ride with supervision. The barn area has 1,000 stalls at this time with as many more predicted for the future. The one mile track has a The Prescott Valley Chamber of commerce predicts a great growth in the coming years and even expects summer training for a major ball team and a major theme park along with housing and other businesses. This area is open and prime for major recreation.

The grand opening over Memorial Day weekend hosted quarter horse and thoroughbred racing all for the day's nine races each day. Opening day the Arizona Stallion owners Association sponsored three trial heats for the ASOA Futurity. Twenty-four horses went postward and the 10 fastest will run again on June 10, for an approx. $30,000 purse. The ten qualifiers are listed here in order of the fastest time. Brianas Dashin Dream, Owner/Trainer Ramon Fontes. Caits Rocket, owner James Mitchum/Trainer Raul Hernandez, Rockys Bully, Owner/Trainer Ceasor Lopez, What a Dashing Man, Owner Toni or J Lloyd Yother, Trainer Larry Wells, Rockies First Down, Owner Jesus Barboa, Trainer Raul Hernandez, Bahia Down, Owner SNA Tan Tillage, Trainer Clay Sparks, Lucky Lionel and Golden Lil Secret, Owned by Myrna and Lionel Valenzuels and Trained by Ron Tranquil, Enoughs About Enough, Owned and Trained by Wayne Brasher and Dasha Velvet. Owned and Trained by Jim and Margie Bryan.

Chris Lincoln, the voice of horse racing on ESPN was on hand to film the opening day activities and was aired Wednesday May 30th, on ESPN. Over 35,000 people attended opening day and betting for the inaugural day of racing was $580.755.

Central Yavapai Fire District brought their 104 ft platform ladder truck out and Lew Rees, Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce Director, conducted the opening ceremonies from there.

Other activities, included the Budweiser Clydesdales, Beer Gardens, swap meet, food courts, children's shows sponsored by Discoveries Channel, Animal Planet, Petting zoo, dog shows, family entertainment, health quest, Barrel Racing, Multiple Roping, concerts, walking characters for the children, laser light show, multiple motocross events from 8 am to 11 p.m.. Arts and crafts show, plane flyovers, helicopters, and many many more events.