Captain Scotty, a sharp maiden race winner at Laurel last month, won his first start in California by an easy 5 1-2 lengths in Friday's second race, an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at six furlongs.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Captain Scotty ($4.20) scooted to an early lead from the rail and set fractions of 22.53 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.71 for a half-mile before finishing in 1:09.83, a quick time on a track that has been slow in workouts and races in the last few days.

Captain Scotty was recently acquired by Gary Barber and Wachtel STable and transferred to Peter Miller. A 4-year-old colt by Quality Road, Captain Scotty was previously trained by Tim Ritchey. 

Captain Scotty won his debut in a maiden race at six furlongs at Laurel by 6 3-4 lengths on Dec. 7.

"He's a 4-year-old and he's a nice horse," Barber said in the winner's circle. "It's nice to have a sprinter. He might stretch out, too."

Barber said Captain Scotty could start in another allowance race for his next start.

"I'd like to get the second condition allowance and then go hunting for bigger game," he said. "It was nice the way he did it and I hated the one hole."