Caller One makes winning look easy in Los Angeles

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Two months after he won the world's richest sprint - the $2 million Golden Shaheen in Dubai, Caller One took quite a pay cut when he won the $107,300 Los Angeles Handicap at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

But his victory against five others emphasized his status as a leading contender for Kona Gold's title of champion sprinter.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani for trainer James Chapman, Caller One ($3.20) had a perfect trip in the six-furlong stakes. Breaking from the rail, Caller One tracked pacesetter Freespool through an opening quarter mile of 21.52 seconds. Entering the turn, Nakatani urged Caller One to the lead and took over before the quarter pole.

Caller One was never threatened. Nakatani peeked over his shoulder entering the stretch, but found no challengers.

"The good ones make it easy," Nakatani said. "I know how quick he is, how fast he is, and my key to riding this horse is just to get him to relax wherever he is comfortable.

"I let my horse eyeball the other one at about the four and a half [furlong pole]. After that, he made it easy and a lot of fun for me. He's just getting better all the time."

Caller One was timed in 1:08.35 and finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of Stormy Jack.

Caller One has won 9 of 14 starts and $1,812,500 for Theresa McArthur and Carolyn Chapman, the trainer's mother.