|02.12.2023|8:53pm
Trainer James Chapman’s family is perhaps best known for campaigning international Group 1 winner Caller One, a crack sprinter who is now 26 years old and enjoying pampering in retirement.
Following the victory of Drew’s Gold in the Jimmy Winkfield on Saturday at Aqueduct, the trainer, who also co-owns the 3-year-old Violence colt, recalled the racing days of Caller One, who captured back-to-back editions of the Dubai Golden Shaeen (G1) in 2001 and 2002 at Nad al Sheba racecourse in Dubai.
The Phone Trick gelding out of Baltic Sea, by Danzig, also landed the 2000 Lafayette (G3) at Keeneland and the Kentucky Cup Sprint (G2) at Turfway Park. He would finish fourth in that year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint [won by Kona Gold], marking the quarter-mile in a blistering :20.82 and the half in 43.56 despite a troubled start.
Caller One also added the Los Angeles Handicap (G3) at Hollywood Park to his ledger in 2001, just two starts before finishing third to the victorious Squirtle Squirt in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Belmont Park.
He completed his career at the age of 10 with a win in the 2007 Rocket Man, a two-furlong sprint in the slop at Calder Race Course. Overall, he retired with a record of 11-5-3 from 29 starts and $3,249,429 in purse earnings.
Chapman said Caller One is enjoying his retirement years in Florida.
“He’s at my dad’s place in Florida. He’s a little long in the tooth, but they spoil him,” Chapman said. “He’s lived a good life. He’s out in the big field with a couple other horses and doing fine.”
Chapman said he has many fond memories of Caller One, including his tremendous Breeders’ Cup efforts.
“In 2001, it was the year Tiznow won the Classic (G1) and the year that [trainer Bobby] Frankel won his first Breeders’ Cup with Squirtle Squirt. I remember it like it was yesterday,” Chapman said. “The year before at Churchill, he stumbled leaving the gate and he took off and went :20 and change. He’s such a nice horse.”
Chapman’s father bought Caller One, who was bred in Kentucky by Orpendale and John R. Gaines Thoroughbreds, for $100,000 at the 1998 Keeneland September yearling sale.
