Big Drama works, then kicks back

MIAMI – Big Drama could have been in New York on Saturday as one of the favorites in Belmont Park’s Grade 1 Vosburgh. Instead, Big Drama spent Saturday afternoon relaxing in his stall at Calder Race Course, having already put in a good day’s work by breezing an easy five furlongs in 1:01.61 seconds over his home course earlier that morning.

Big Drama, among the leading contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 6 at Churchill Downs, has not started since finishing second behind Here Comes Ben in the Grade 1 Forego on Sept. 4.

Breaking off at the five-furlong pole and working over a fast but cuppy racetrack, Big Drama posted splits of 25.10, 37.01 and 48.86 seconds while racing several paths out from the rail before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.86.

“That was just a maintenance work this morning,” trainer David Fawkes said by phone from Monmouth Park. “He had a fast work last Sunday so I didn’t want to do anything too much with him this morning. He’ll have at least one more fast move here before he leaves for Kentucky.”

Fawkes said he’d considered running Big Drama in the Vosburgh but ultimately opted to wait and train him into the Sprint.

“I could have run him today in New York but he’s always done well when his races have been spaced,” said Fawkes. “I also didn’t want to take a chance he might end up having to run too hard of a race in the Vosburgh and get knocked out with just over a month to go before the Breeders’ Cup.”

Fawkes said he’d likely have Big Drama complete his major work at home before shipping to Churchill Downs the week of the Breeders’ Cup, although he is keeping the door open in regards to sending him up a little earlier to get in one breeze over the track. Big Drama, who has won eight of his 15 career starts, has never raced at Churchill Downs.

Fawkes also passed the opportunity to run his Grade 2 winner Duke of Mischief in New York on Sunday in the Kelso to await the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup next Saturday at Monmouth Park. Duke of Mischief is currently a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

“I decided to give him another week and race him over a track he’s won on and handled well in the past rather than throw something new at him at Belmont in the Kelso,” Fawkes said.