Pat Chernow and Camille Grabb
On Feb. 25, 28 members of Unit 27A and their guests spent a day at Turf Paradise Race Course, which is a thoroughbred and quarter horse racetrack in northern Phoenix that was built in 1954.
Everyone enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch in the Turf Club, including many, many tempting desserts and, yes, perhaps a cocktail, too!
With post time at 12:55 p.m. and bets placed, everyone jumped up from their great seats to watch the first race. It was an exciting day of choosing horses, jockeys, owners, and/or trainers for eight races. Some chose to pick a horse by its sleek color or jockey’s bright silks. People tried every method they could think of using. One neighbor even picked a trifecta choosing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place horses in the same race!
In spite of our wins or losses, several folks journeyed down to the track for the second race named for Unit 27A in lights on the scoreboard. They smiled and posed for a photo with the winner, Willinlilvillian, a four-year-old filly who ran 6.5 furlongs, and her jockey, Jake Samuels. The lucky number was eight and the silks were yellow.