Turf Paradise: L. A. Weekend cruises in Caballos del Sol

L. A. Weekend, last season’s horse of the meet at Turf Paradise, took another step toward defending that title with an impressive second win of the meet, easily capturing Saturday’s $35,000 Caballos del Sol.

Last year’s Phoenix Gold Cup winner, L. A. Weekend, owned by Rick Wiest and trained by Robertino Diodoro, dominated the six-furlong event in what was little more than a paid workout. Under Geovanni Franco, L. A. Weekend went right to the lead, dueled with Our Magic Couple, and then opened up through the lane, cruising home to win by 7 1/4 lengths.

He ran the distance in a sizzling 1:07.39. Our Magic Couple was no match for the winner but kept to his task well to finish a clear second, 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Absolutely Cool, who was third in the field of five.

L. A. Weekend paid $2.10 as the overwhelming favorite, and the winner’s share of $21,700 gives him earnings of $283,374 from nine wins in 19 starts.

“We’re pointing to the Gold Cup since he’s the defending champion,” Diodoro said.

The $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup is Feb. 15.