Turf Paradise: Absolutely Cool picks up where he left off by taking Bienvenidos

Absolutely Cool indicated he again figures to be a force in the sprint division at Turf Paradise when he captured Saturday’s opening-day $35,000 Bienvenidos at the Phoenix track.

The 6-year-old Absolutely Cool, owned by Karl Krieg and trained by Valorie Lund, has been a factor in the major local sprint stakes the past few seasons and enjoyed his return to this track. Under Rocco Bowen, he stalked the solid pace of 22.31 and 45.34 seconds set by Skimasco in the 6 1/2-furlong event, moved up to challenge that foe along with Jamaican Memories into the lane, and edged clear to win by a length.

First Strike rallied for second while Jamaican Memories stayed on for third in the field of 10. Why Not Be Perfect, the tepid 3-1 favorite, lagged back and never made a run, finishing seventh. It didn’t hurt Absolutely Cool that his nemesis and last season’s top local sprinter, L.A. Weekend, scratched.

Absolutely Cool ran the distance in 1:16.77 and paid $9 as the third choice. The winner’s share of $20,615 pushes his career bankroll to $150,103 from 6 wins in 23 starts.