Turf Paradise: L. A. Weekend can turn tables in Coyote Handicap

The best sprinters on the grounds take center stage in two 6 1/2-furlong stakes at Turf Paradise on Saturday. L. A. Weekend, last year’s horse of the meet, was vanquished in this year’s Phoenix Gold Cup by Absolutely Cool and looks to exact his revenge on that foe in the $35,000 Coyote Handicap for 3-year-olds and up. Tribal Gal attempts to re-establish herself at the top of the distaff sprinting heap when she leads the $35,000 Mesa Handicap.

L. A. Weekend and Absolutely Cool are among a field of six entered in the Coyote, which goes as race 4 on the eight-race card. Tribal Gal carries the high weight against five others in the Mesa, which goes as race 3.

L. A. Weekend, owned by Rick Wiest and trained by Robertino Diodoro, finished second to Absolutely Cool in the Feb. 15 Phoenix Gold Cup, but there’s still no doubt that the 6-year-old L. A. Weekend is the one to beat Saturday. He was brilliant here in early 2013, taking the Phoenix Gold Cup over Absolutely Cool before romping in this race last March by 6 1/2 lengths, again with Absolutely Cool second.

After a couple of not-so-hot efforts, first at Hollywood Park and then at Northlands Park, L. A. Weekend returned here in the fall and easily won an optional claimer Oct. 23 and the Caballos del Sol on Dec. 7 (with Absolutely Cool third).

He then easily won the Swift on Jan. 25 over Absolutely Cool before going into the Feb. 15 Phoenix Gold Cup as the heavy favorite and highweight. He dueled through sizzling splits before finishing second to the rallying Absolutely Cool, suffering his first defeat in six starts here. L. A. Weekend will be ridden by Geovanni Franco.

For the most part, Absolutely Cool has been relegated to a supporting role in races with L. A. Weekend, as he was defeated four straight times by that rival. Trained by Valorie Lund, the 7-year-old Absolutely Cool picked the right day for his best, coming home smartly to win the Phoenix Gold Cup by two lengths under Rocco Bowen. He carries 122 pounds and will receive three pounds from L. A. Weekend.

Mesa: Tribal Gal fresh

Tribal Gal, owned by John Pendergast, trained by Joe Johnson, and ridden by Juan Rivera, carries the high weight of 123 pounds in the Mesa Handicap.

The 4-year-old filly romped by 6 1/4 lengths in the Joanne Dye here last April and, after some Southern California outings, returned to easily win the Princess of Palms by 5 1/4 lengths Oct. 12. She then had a troubled trip while finishing fifth, moved up to fourth via disqualification, in the Cactus Flower here Nov. 23, then easily won the Phoenix here Dec. 14.

Tribal Gal hasn’t run since the Phoenix but has been working strongly and has run well fresh before.

If there’s a spoiler in the Mesa, it may be the 5-year-old mare Ronda Rocks. Trained by Frank Lucarelli, she’s won three of her last four, including a dirt sprint win Jan. 8. She comes off a game win in the Sun City Handicap at a mile on turf here Feb. 15. Gallyn Mitchell rides at 120 pounds.