Turf Paradise: L. A. Weekend seeks to remain undefeated at track in Caballos Del Sol

Two big wins at the 2012-2013 Turf Paradise meet – the Phoenix Gold Cup and Coyote Handicap – earned L. A. Weekend horse of the meet honors. However, then came a couple of not-so-hot outings elsewhere as he ran sixth in a stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park on May 4 and sixth in a stakes at Northlands Park on June 8. Trainer Robertino Diodoro opted to give L. A. Weekend a freshening, and when he brought him back here Oct. 23, everything looked right in his world as the 5-year-old Tribal Rule gelding dueled for the lead and drew off to easily win a tough optional claimer, posting a big Beyer Speed Figure (99) and notching his third win in as many starts on this track.

L. A. Weekend, owned by Rick Wiest, looks to make it 4 for 4 in the $35,000 Caballos Del Sol on Saturday. The six-furlong event drew a field of six, including his nemesis Absolutely Cool.

L. A. Weekend flashed talent in Southern California prior to his strong work here last meet, romping over optional claimers at Fairplex in September 2012. He was no factor in his next three starts, all in Southern California. He was freshened for a couple months, then came back to romp over optional claimers at Sunland Park on Jan. 12 before taking the Phoenix Gold Cup and Coyote in grand fashion. Geovanni Franco, who has been aboard for all of L. A. Weekend’s Turf Paradise wins, again has the mount.

Absolutely Cool, owned by Karl Krieg and trained by Valorie Lund, has been knocking heads with the best sprinters on the grounds the past couple seasons and holding his own. He was second to L. A. Weekend in both the Phoenix Gold Cup and Coyote earlier this year and comes off a game tally in the opening-weekend Bienvenidos over this track Oct. 5. Rocco Bowen rides.

A dangerous new face is Northlands Park raider Hollywood Dreams, a 5-year-old gelding who has won seven of 21 career starts, including a stakes at Northland Sept. 21. Hollywood Dreams enters off a second at Northlands on Oct. 14. Anne Von Rosen rides.

Another potential threat is Choo Choo Charlie, who comes off two straight big wins here, including a 5 3/4-length romp over $20,000 restricted claimers on Nov. 12. He was claimed that day by owner and trainer Dan McFarlane, who moves him well up in class for the Caballos Del Sol.