Kona Gold Highlights Los Angeles Handicap Field

Eclipse champion Kona Gold will make his 2002 debut in Sunday's Los Angeles Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park. Alex Solis will ride the 8-year-old gelding in the six-furlong race.

Kona Gold concedes 10 to 13 pounds to his five rivals -- Indiana-bred Radiata, Arizona-bred Komax, and three fellow Kentucky-breds.

Kona Gold has been working well at Santa Anita for trainer Bruce Headley and the son of Java Gold has won his seasonal debut in each of the last three years. His only loss while making his first start in a year came in 1998 when he finished second in a maiden race while making his racing debut.

Recent Keeneland allowance winner No Armistice is the second highest weighted horse at 115 pounds. The son of Unbridled has won four of nine starts for trainer Ron Ellis.

1--Komax, Garrett Gomez, 113
2--Hombre Rapido, Victor Espinoza, 112
3--No Armistice, Kent Desormeaux, 115
4--Kona Gold, Alex Solis, 125
5--Radiata, Chris McCarron, 114
6--Rapidough, David Flores, 112