Turf Paradise: Absolutely Cool turns tables on nemesis in Phoenix Gold Cup

Absolutely Cool was apparently sick and tired of seeing L.A. Weekend’s backside so many times.

So, on Saturday the 7-year-old Absolutely Cool finally did something about it. After losing his last four decisions to L.A. Weekend , Absolutely Cool picked the right day to turn the tables, posting a 14-1 upset in Turf Paradise’s marquee event of the meet, the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup.

Owned by Karl Krieg and trained by Valorie Lund, Absolutely Cool had been big before in this race, finishing second in 2012 and then again in 2013 to L.A. Weekend. But in the six-furlong race Saturday under Rocco Bowen, Absolutely Cool bided his time early while even-money favorite L.A. Weekend set a sizzling pace of 21.35 seconds and 43.62 under heavy pressure first from King of the Sky and then Homerun Berti. Absolutely Cool took full advantage of L.A. Weekend getting softened some as he came with his run into the lane, swept past that rival, and won going away by two lengths

L.A. Weekend did nothing wrong in defeat, his first loss in six tries locally, as he dueled and stayed on gamely for second, a length ahead of Valiant Flame, an invader from Northern California who rallied well for third. Homerun Berti, a winner of four straight, three of them stakes, in New Mexico, finished fourth in the field of nine after dueling with L.A. Weekend. Dangerous Southern California raider Roman Threat stalked the pace but gave way to finish seventh. Two other scary SoCal raiders – Moonshine Bay and Spirit Rules – scratched.

Absolutely Cool paid $31 and ran the six furlongs in 1:08.54. The winner’s share of $44,640 gives him earnings of $205,103 from 7 wins in 26 starts.

Az Ridge displays versatility

Az Ridge continued to make his case as the best overall horse on the grounds as he showed he could win a big race routing on turf as well when capturing the$35,000 Turf Paradise Handicap.

Owned by the Sawyer Cattle Company and trained by Dan McFarlane, the 5-year-old Az Ridge dueled early in the 1 1/16-mile turf event for older horses, first with Uncle Dave and then with Mysterious Soul. He and Mysterious Soul went at it toe-to-toe throughout with Az Ridge gamely prevailing by a neck under Kelly Bridges as the even-money favorite. Mysterious Soul was game throughout, staying on for second, a half-length ahead of Red Zeus in the field of seven.

Az Ridge paid $4 and ran the distance in 1:42.76. The winner’s share of $21,266 gives him a bankroll of $205,100 from 8 wins in 25 starts. He’s now a stakes winner routing on dirt, stakes winner sprinting on dirt, and stakes winner routing on turf.

Ronda Rocks springs upset

Ronda Rocks showed again that if you let a nice horse have her way up front you’re asking for trouble. The 5-year-old Ronda Rocks, owned and trained by Frank Lucarelli, went right to the lead in the $35,000 Sun City Handicap, a mile turf race for fillies and mares, and played keep-away throughout as she gamely prevailed.

Under Gallyn Mitchell Ronda Rocks went right to the lead, set a modest pace, had the field come to her turning for home but kicked clear into the lane which gave her enough of a buffer to fend off a few closers as she won by a half-length. Vonn Nez stalked in fourth and finished gamely for second, just in front of Warrensmysterydice, who made a threatening move into the lane but couldn’t sustain it. Ricspretentiousgal, the 4-5 favorite after a big win in the Glendale Handicap on this course Jan. 18, sat back after a troubled start, was very wide and could manage only fourth in the field of eight.

Ronda Rocks ran the distance in 1:36.98 on firm turf and paid $17.20. The winner’s share of $21,049 gives her a bankroll of $75,859 from 6 wins in 17 starts.