Tom Ludt, the general manager of Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona, has unexpectedly resigned less than two months before the racetrack is set to begin its 2026-27 live racing season, reports Horse Racing Nation. Ludt confirmed to the Paulick Report that his departure was due to “philosophical issues” with Gary Hartunian, the majority owner of Skyfall 7, the company holding the racing permit for Turf Paradise. Joey Platts holds a 10% stake in Skyfall 7.
The barn area at Turf Paradise is scheduled to open on October 19, with training starting October 26 and an 80-day live race meet planned to commence on November 27. So far, applications have been received for roughly 1,700 horses.
Ludt’s sudden exit has triggered emergency meetings among Hartunian and other stakeholders at Turf Paradise. Although Hartunian assured horsemen on Monday that the upcoming meet will proceed as planned, and Leroy Gessmann, executive director of the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, also expects racing to start on schedule, critical key staff have also left, including track superintendent Dylon Alvarez and his father Freddy Alvarez, who was responsible for maintaining the turf. Gessmann expressed serious concerns comparing the situation to “not having a pilot on an airplane flying at 40,000 feet,” highlighting the track’s lack of leadership just weeks before horses arrive.
Compounding these challenges, a veterinarian who had accepted the role of official track vet has since declined the position.
Skyfall 7 LLC, led by Hartunian, has managed Turf Paradise since December 2025 under a lease agreement with the track’s longtime owner Jerry Simms. Ludt played a key role in finalizing this deal and managing operations during Skyfall 7’s first year. During a March interview with the Paulick Report, Ludt spoke about improvements at the aging venue, noting that paid attendance had doubled and on-track wagering had increased by 24% under the new management, though he acknowledged uncertainty about the track’s long-term future, stating, “We have to determine if we are staying here.”
Hartunian is currently facing a suspension in New Mexico as of September 17 over an unsettled financial obligation related to purse money. The suspension stems from an unpaid debt of $3,467.19 owed to the minor son of trainer Justin Evans, stemming from a horse they co-owned, with his licenses suspended until the debt is settled.
The Arizona Racing Commission is scheduled for its regular meeting on Thursday, October 8, though the agenda had not been posted as of Tuesday afternoon.
Gessmann remarked, “Everything was going very well with Tom in charge, and it looked like we were going to have a great meet. Suddenly that ended.”
This story was originally published by the Paulick Report on October 6, 2026.
Fan Take: This upheaval at Turf Paradise is a significant red flag for horse racing enthusiasts, as stability in leadership is crucial for the smooth operation of race meets and the welfare of the horses involved. If these management issues continue, they could undermine confidence in one of Arizona’s key racing venues and potentially threaten the sport’s growth in the region.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
